Bringing us together

Authors Note: I am publishing this on behalf of a friend and colleagues family.  This is her story.  Please help!

 

My name is not listed here, but you are receiving this invitation because you know me. I am your neighbor or friend.  I have worked beside you or visited you when your baby was born.  I have offered to borrow your unruly teenager for walks with my dog to help out or answered your call to hear of the ongoing good, bad, or interesting in your life or to be there when your loved one was terminally ill.  Thank you for taking the time to read this and considering helping in any way possible. 

 

If you know all of the adults in this case, please do not share this page in malice or communicate with my children's father or family in any unkind or disrespectful ways.  Being terrible is the opposite of the healing and recovery at the heart of seeking help in this situation. If you have questions about the family benefitted by this campaign you can e-mail [email redacted].  Please do not mention my or the kids names if you comment on this page for their safety and mine.  

 

History: I will never forget the shock I felt when an officer arrived at my home with an arrest warrant in my name.  Our divorce had been bitter.  My little boy had said over and over that "Daddy would never stop fighting until he won."  This has turned out to be true, I was arrested based on allegations of assault.  Although the charges were dropped the allegations were used to initiate and strengthen an immediate change in custody. 

 

During the original hearings I was working two jobs just to provide daycare because the kids were with me full-time. There was no way I could afford an attorney, or time off to prepare.  I would think about writing the documents and then freeze and panic re-living the abuse in our marriage and the feeling of being small and trapped. Even with many obstacles, encouragement came in small and large waves and prayers near and far. 

 

Current Situation: This has been an endless nightmare.  We have a handful of supervised visits each month.  The supervisors  have  had their credibility attacked in court filings and have turned their lives inside out to support visitation, but it has been nearly two years and no matter how much they love us, it is a burden to set aside time to watch other families for free.   It is also expensive in gas, and time unavailable for their own family needs.  They have given of themselves sacrificially to support our family in immense ways, but this is not sustainable.

 

I have no criminal or substance use issues. I live a quiet life.   I maintain full-time employment and am a licensed healthcare professional and have never had claims on my license for any reason. I have worked in some of the most challenging circumstances. Both in an ambulance and in medical environments where patients were violent, the worst and best in life was what I was responsible for every day.



I am not a violent or dangerous person.   I am by no means perfect or a near perfect mom.  But I am a good and Loving Mother, who is working so hard to be better all the time with Gods help.  I am in consistent counseling, part of a loving church, and am thankful to have shared laughs or prayers with you.                                                                                                                                        

 

Multiple individuals including a registered nurse and adoptive parents have made concerning reports of my children being harmed in their fathers care.  I initially had some help to retain an attorney after I lost custody, but we are at a breaking point.  Their father is trying to remove all visits, even supervised visits.  I am out of any financial ability to keep an attorney for a hearing on the evidence set for next month.

 

I used to think he could not possibly be successful in keeping our family apart, but he has successfully hidden the truth from the court and oversight agencies time and time again.  It is abusive to the kids and is being used as a way to punish me.

 

During our tiny amount of visit time my son often lays in my arms and smushes my hands against his cheeks while he sucks his thumb and says I miss you so much mommy, so so much, I Love you.  My daughter tells me terrible things she is being told and I hold her tight and remind her of how much I Love her.  Gut wrenching sobs and desperate prayers are a part of this situation.  Little moments Moms and Dads often take for granted are something that we now cherish.

 

Your encouragement has sustained me when the Tsunami of grief has been more than I could tread, I have known great friendship throughout this time. 



I follow all court orders no matter how unjust they may seem. 


Many of you have always known your children were safe in my care.  I have taught them, provided a break, or we have shared holiday adventures together. 

 

My Children need their Mom.  They beg me to attend their school events and for more time together.  Alone I am helpless to provide this for them.  The opposition to our loving relationship that is keeping us apart is more than I can overcome alone in every way.  It is crushing! With your help we can make a strong effort to help our family have more time together to share life and love each other and those around us.  We have some court hearings scheduled, but will not be able to afford the attorney for them without immediate help.  Any amount will help.  Any funds given will be used immediately to have legal counsel and only legal expenses associated with family reunification.

 

I know people work hard for what they have.  I already know the most gracious in every community.  Please consider giving to support our family being together.  Kids deserve to be allowed the Love of their mother, and the support of counseling and healing of their family.  I am willing to go to family counseling with my children’s father, more parenting classes, anything necessary to support the well-being of my children.  I Love them in every way possible.