So many of you have been immensely kind in your responses to Adela, whose 12 year old sister hung herself and who was herself in the hospital on suicide watch. (An Unspeakable Sadness)
This morning, our first day back from Thanksgiving break, Adela was waiting for me again at my door. I greeted her with the biggest smile I have and even as I was telling her how much we missed her, she went right to the folders to pass them out. She remarked about how the date hadn't been changed on the board since the last time she changed it.
After she finished, she came to me and asked, "Can I talk to you privately?" I took her right outside my door into the hall.
"My sister killed herself and she's gone now, "she said in one breath.
I could hardly control my voice as I gushed out my condolences and my gratitude that she was back with us.
As I ended, she flung her arms around me and squeezed me as tightly as I've ever been squeezed. I already had tears forming and they ran down my face now.
She sighed as she released me and said, "She's in a better place. And I'm going to good places in my life."
"Oh, honey, you truly are. There is so much good waiting for you out there. I can't wait to see all the things you are going to accomplish in your life."
A turtleneck wrapped around her neck to hide any marks that might remain. The students welcomed her back with various greetings. I am so proud of how they accept her just as she is and was relieved to see how eager she seemed to be to get back into the routine of things.
We will have a meeting with the counselor and social workers this afternoon on her status. But for now, it's good to see her back in her spot.
Thanks to all of you for your prayers and good wishes for her. She still has much to deal with, but I pray she catches some good breaks in her life now.
You are for sure an important person in her life and that is no accident. God put you there.
ReplyDeleteContinued prayers for her.
This is very encouraging, Shelly, and I hope she's taking baby steps back. As I'm sure you know it will take time and she needs to be monitored closely to make sure she's congruent when she says she's okay. After all, her sister managed to cover up her desperation and convince people that she was okay. I truly hope Adela can achieve some small victories in the short term so that she can build momentum. Your support and encouragement are as good as gold at this critical juncture.
ReplyDeleteJamie: Thank you- and please, keep those prayers coming for her. That's what is going to make a difference-
ReplyDeleteShady: You are so right- she is going to need very close monitoring for many years to come. I so hope she will be at our school long enough that we can help to make a difference in her life-
ReplyDeleteAdela has to know that there is some one out there for her. Some one who will love her for who she is.She has not met him yet. Also please tell her that some of your followers including myself is on her side. Hopefully we will do all we can to be of help.
ReplyDeleteYou must be an angel that is why she came to you. I am so glad that there are people like you in this world. God bless you and God bless the young girl.
There are good things in the world. They're sometimes hard to find, but they're out there.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are in her life.
Pearl
Munir: Thank you so much for your good thoughts and blessings to her. I will let her know. She really deserves some good things in her life now. I hope she gets them soon.
ReplyDeletePearl: You are so right, and I hope she will have the tenacity to keep digging through the muck to get to the good. I count myself blessed that she is in my life, too-
ReplyDeleteOh, I was so pleased to read this post Shelly, because I have been keeping little Adela in my prayers. I am so glad that she is now back at school and was able to tell you about her sister, and I pray that she will go on to much brighter things and perhaps do special things on behalf of her sister as well. I guess Shady is right though, it probably won't be quite as simple as that. I just hope that when she goes home from school, she is with someone who will give her oodles of love, cuddles and encouragement. Thank you so much for the update my friend.
ReplyDeleteI have been praying for Adela. I'm glad she is able to go to school and the kids are being good to her. She is fortunate you are her teacher. May God's hand be upon her, may his light shine around her and give her strength and peace.
ReplyDeleteThisisme: Thank you so much for your prayers for her- please keep them coming. I do hope she can somehow turn this around- she really deserves some good in her life for a change.
ReplyDeleteBelle: I so appreciate your prayers for her, snd I agree with your blessings upon her. I really am the one blessed, though, to know her-
ReplyDeleteShelly, thank goodness you're there for her. She knows she can trust and count on you and that's so important right now. And reminding her that she has so much to look forward to and that you'll be there to savor her successes is so perfect and so important for her to hear. Thanks so much for the update. I had been wondering and hoping....
ReplyDeleteDr. Kathy: I do hope she can find stability and positive role models in those of us who are her teachers. I am really believing the best for this kid- she's got great potential. Thank you for your kind words-
ReplyDeleteYou are Adela's Angel on earth. I'm so glad to hear that she's going back to her regular routine. Sometimes "doing something normal" is a great comfort in a time of extreme insecurity and distress. That you are there every day, with the date on the board is something she can count on when so much has changed. This story has been on my mind. Thank you for sharing an update and for your beautiful soul.
ReplyDeletekneesandpaws: She does need stability more than anything right now since nothing else in her world is stable. Bless her heart- I just don't know that I'd be doing as well as she if I were in her shoes. Thank you for your kind words!
ReplyDeleteThat fills me with joy that Adela was back in your classroom, Shelly. You are right, she has a long road ahead of her, but I am glad that she is back somewhere for school with someone that loves her and will help her out as much as you can! Glad to hear too that the kids did welcome her back; I hope that she can feel your support and her fellow classmates' support in the days ahead!
ReplyDeletebetty
Betty: I am so relieved she wasn't moved out of our district. She needs stability and familiarity to help her navigate through these days. I see good things ahead for her!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you gave us the update - poor little girl... But she is lucky she has you and others in her life to help her get through this. Hopefully she will stay open and be able to talk things out. She sounds like an amazing girl who could achieve anything she wanted to. Yes, please tell her that there are many "out here" that are rooting for her.
ReplyDeleteI have thought so much about this little girl since you posted her sad story. Thank you for sharing her update. I'm so pleased she is willing to try to get back into her normal routine. I can't imagine her pain.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a wonderful person. I am sure she felt comfortable and comforted by you and your words and hug. She is lucky to have a teacher that cares so much.
Karen: I so hope she digs down deep and finds some more of that resiliency. She is really going to need it, bless her heart.
ReplyDeleteCrystal: Welcome back! My heart just breaks for her because she's been dealt so many bad things at such a young age. You are always so kind-
ReplyDeleteShelly I was so happy to read that she seems to be dealing with the situation in a positive way but as Shady said it needs to be baby steps and monitored closely. We will continue to pray for her, the family and for you as you try to help her in the ways open to you.
ReplyDeleteOdie
Odie: Thank you for your continued prayers. She needs so much in the coming years in her life.
ReplyDeleteOH, Dearest Shelly.
ReplyDeleteThank GOD☆☆☆ What a GOOD news from you!!!
Yes, like others said to you; I am happy you are being her teacher. I believe you are the one who are responsible for her strength.
May her future full of happy occasions!!!
Blessing to you, xoxo Orchid*
Orchid: Thank you, my friend! And, I agree- I hope her future is full of lasting goodness.
ReplyDeleteFirst time I've read your blog. These 2 posts on the little girls have shattered my heart. No child should ever have to endure the feelings of being unloved and unwanted. Life can be hard enough with the wide open arms of family. Without even that refuge, I don't know how people can go on. My love and prayers go out to that sweet little girl.
ReplyDeleteBless you for being there for her as much as you can. Your heart is bigger than any I've encountered.
Humor Smith: Thank you for stopping by and your very kind comments. Please, please keep her in your prayers. She's had another very horrible thing happen to her that I can't go into on the internet, but she keeps soldiering on. Her sturdiness of spirit comletely amazes me.
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