I feel at times i could change the world.
The reality is....i can't.....
nor do i really want to.
{ i mean...can you imagine the pressure ....}
At the end of my day i like to be able to go to sleep
knowing that i at least tried.
Maybe not changed the world...
or travelled to a third world country...
to feed the poor.
I can't do much.
I wish i could.....
but the reality is.....
i can do something.
I live in a pretty wonderful neighborhood of older homes.
The neighbors are really fabulous....
we all get along....we help each other out.
A few doors down, a single mother lives
with her daughter in a flat.
The daughter...is the same age as lola...and from here on out...
I shalll call her "A".
The mother works full time..... there is
no father.
Actually...there was a father....but he lives elsewhere
and when the mother took him to court for
mandatory child support.....
he took off.
I have been helping watch "A" for the last year now....
she comes over 3 mornings a week before school..
and on fridays after school.
My other neighbor watches "A" the other 2
afternoons.. after school.
"A" leads a rough life....
her mother doesn't have much money...
she gets shuttled around on the weekends so that
her mother can work.
My little family has helped her out this year and payed
for her to be in girl scouts with lola....
we take her with us to dinner...
we let her be a part of our family..
but there are definitely some complications.
She is not used to having a father figure...
so it's hard for her to take direction when bryan is home....
she argues a lot with my children...
she's very strong headed {just like lola}...
but we love her.
I won't be able to help watch her forever...
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63 comments:
You are blessing that little girl, always remember that, she will have that memory for a life time, as I was a child of the foster world and became the person I am today because some one cared enough to offer me love and guidance. Florence
Kasey, what a beautiful post...from an equally beautiful person. Good for you for caring and being willing to take the time to help that little girl. I'm sure it means a great deal to her - and to her mother.
"A" is so fortunate to have you. What a wonderful post. My mom was a single mom from the age of four up until I was eight yrs old. I have fond memories of Sally, and Hazel, who used to help watch me when my mom worked crazy hours as a nurse. And now that I am older and in the position to return the favor so to speak and help others. I do it when ever I can. I used to watch a little girl "M" for quite a long time until her mother got a day job and was "M" was off to school. I got payed in hugs and smiles and the knowing that I was helping someone in need. And to me, that the best paycheck ever.
Blessings,
Molly
Great post...
a little story...
I was that kid.
It was more about divorced parents not having a clue about how to handle things more than the financial part.
But..nonetheless, I was that kid who needed some stability and structure.
My friend Krissy's family provided that for me when I was in high school and let me tell you, it meant the world to me then and does to me now. I saw that people can be married and have manners towards each other.
I saw that kids need boundaries to succeed in life.
I saw that dinner time is THE most imporant part of the day b/c that's when families connect.
Thank heavenes for the Fey family, b/c they, in many ways, taught me what it means to be a family...
so that I could provide that for my own kids.
I love that you are that family for "A"...it will carry on in her heart forever.
ox
Lara
YOU KNOW, THATS WHAT THE LORD ASKS US TO DO...HELP THE ONE...AND BY SMALL MEANS GREAT THINGS ARE BROUGHT ABOUT. YOU ARE A BLESSING IN HER LIFE, TRUE YOU CAN'T FIX IT ALL BUT THE HELP YOU GIVE ..WILL HELP. COME SAY HI :D
What a beautiful post Kasey. Your words touched me.
Hugs
Federica
This really resonates with me...I too was that child; spending time with other people's families. My main memories of time at Lori's house: always dinnertime, always together, order, tidiness, a doting father who was home by 5pm every night, laughter, consistency...normality.
Your post made me think of stuff I haven't thought of for ages :-)
you are amazing...it is those little things that in the long run are the big things in life. i have to share...today my sweet 7 year old son did something amazing. he died his hair hot pink...and soon he will shave it off!! he is a part of an amazing fundraiser for the Pediatric Oncology unit at our local Children's Hospital and the Make a Wish Foundation. What is more amazing is that every now and then, around town, you see other pink heads, and soon bald heads for this cause. i am sooooo proud of him
That is beyond awesome as far as posts go... I love it when we step out of ourselves and DO something. Anything! And so often, one thing leads to another... it's the way it's supposed to be.
Blessings,
Sasha
Kasey~It may seem very small to you but I am sure it is a very large thing to that lil Girl and Her working Mother.
I 'm sure she has to be headstrong for her own survival.Maybe she can find an older Girl out for the summer to help watch her for a small fee.No after school programs around there to help parents out?
What's that saying it takes a village to raise a child.......Bless you my dear~Kim
It's nice when someone cares. Julienne
God bless you, Kasey, and the dear little one who is now in my prayers.
: )
Julie M.
ps And congratulations on the newest addition to your family! My friend Kate had a baby girl today...Kassidy Jane.
That little girl will remember you and your family when she grows up. She will tell her story and you will be in it. She is learning from you. You probably will never hear her tell the story but that will be the reward.
Something from your heart.
Happy day to you.
Being a mother is an amazing thing, and it makes you do amazing things, not just for your own children but generally, out in the world. it makes you see the value in small things and small people.
I've had tears well up in my eyes three times today, not because i'm a cry baby (far from it), but because i'm a mum and have felt something on that level. Reading your post was one of those times. You're a diamond.
jules
Beautiful post, Kasey. You make a difference in more ways than you will know :)
I tip my hat your way.......that takes alot taking on another child (if even for a few hours a week) - and posh! like you aren't doing anything to change the world....like heck you aren't...
I had to do that with my sister's children (2 of them-5 days a week) when we lived right next door to them, and even though we don't live that close anymore, our kids are like best friends still.
Kasey ~ what a beautiful post! One person does make a difference and even though that little girl may not express it to you I'm sure her mother and she are very thankful for you. You are doing a wonderful thing...I know your point wasn't to show what you are doing but that one person can make a difference...and I completely agree with that. You are wonderful!
Also ~ congratulations to your brother!!! How exciting, and I love the name:)
This post makes me remember a bunch of great people who have made a difference in my life. Also makes me hope that I helped give some small people a bit of what they were short of over the years. I know that having other little ones around certainly helped my two boys learn a few life lessons.
Yours surely are learning a bunch from the headstrong little girl too. Take Care:)
Kasey,
what a beautiful post. I am sure A will remember (and her mother) what you have done for the both of them. SO sweet
Zizette
your Majesty,
You are filling in the gap that is in little "A's" life right now and when she is older she will forever remember all that you and your family has done for her. She will hopefully marry and have a stable home and repeat the very lessons that she is learning now in her very home and hopefully she will be able to help another little person:)) bravo to you and your family.
Royal wishes,
Daisy
You are a blessing to this little girl...even if it sometimes feels differently. I often tell my sweetie that I need to adopt some of the kids I work with because I can't handle how terrible their parents are. It breaks my heart to see life through their eyes.
I also survived a rough childhood. I met teachers and NEIGHBORS who lived a life I strived to create in my own.
You and your family are making a difference. "A" is truly blessed!
Have a beautiful day,
Mikal
What you are doing for that little girl will leave its mark for sure Kasey, good things always do - and like someone else said, you are giving her consistency, the experience of a family structure and you are caring for her - and she will know that. I really admire you for what you are doing.
Great post honey :) xo
Amen to the "small" things...and to the "small" people too!
I think you are amazing. I am sure that girl will remember you forever.
Sarah
http://pittsburgh-odds-and-sods.blogspot.com
Kasey ~ It is Mel from the Barn...we have yet to meet but I hope too someday...I was an "A". And I treasure the memories of the women and families that unflinchingly welcomed me in the fold. Today I am a mosiac, like an old memory pot ( somestimes a crack pot) of all the fanatastic women who shared so generously. Whenever circumstances would change... the Lord provided more.
Way to be a difference maker...A theme I write about passionately.
On behalf of grown up "a"'s everywhere, bless your heart to the fullest! xo
The good that you do today effects the whole world. Helping out when there is a need is called "Love". Look at all the "Love" you are giving to the world by helping out this mom and her daughter. God Bless You and all you do! I really enjoy reading your blog and all the wonderful photography. Thank you, for sharing a piece of you.
It is no small thing you are doing for "A". Wow, has anyone told you lately that you are amazing? You are...and I think you might be changing the world...at least in your corner of the world:)
Congratulations to your brother & his wife {and you, too, Auntie} on the birth of their son, Preston!
you are amazing my friend
xo
what a sweet post, Kasey - and a tough task, too! I love your heart (well, I knew I loved it before this amazing post...) and love how you would try to fit the entire world inside.
Congratulations on becoming an Auntie to Preston! It is so exciting.
sending big, warm hugs to you, friend - BIG HUGS!
Kasey, you truly are a beautiful soul....and what you are doing for "A" is so incredibly sweet and kind. She will one day thank you for the love you gave her.....trust me she will. I thank my sweet angels every chance I get. As a child of divorce I have been "A" and without the sweet love of some amazing friends of my mother's I would not be the person I am today. Blessings to you and your amazing family.
Congratulations on the birth of your nephew. Love his name.
xoxo
Mande
What you are doing now will last a lifetime for that little girl. It is wonderful.
That is the sweetest...you are the sweetest....you are so right, if we all reach out & help someone who needs uplifted, we WILL be doing something tremendous. We will be helping to change the world, our little worlds. Great inspiration ~ thank you & I know that little girl will not forget the kindness & love you showed her.
Shellagh
One blessing, one kindness, one word at a time.... you've got it... Hugs, Jennifer
your post really touched my heart and inspired me to do something for someone. "A" will haunt my thoughts now. i hope things smooth out for her and her mom soon. you have helped more than you know i am sure.
hugs,
shelley
you are a rock star in my eyes. I hope things get better for "A" and her mom soon.
bless you,
Shelley
you.
are.
fabulous
truly.
xx
that is awesome, Kasey!
You are indeed changing the world, her world. And she will go out into the big world and be different because of what you have done in her life. Yes...indeed... you are changing the world.
Beautiful post. Helping shape a young person is the most important work one can do. Bless you and your family for taking her under your wing and inviting her into your family.
~Amy
I remember meeting "A" when we visited you this summer. You were so great with her. And, in all honesty, I don't think what you are doing is just a little thing. Making a child feel loved is one of the biggest ways to change the world!!!
Hope you and Lola are planning to stay over when you come out this way in the spring.
Its hard to feel the weight of the world and know you can't change everything. But just like the starfish story, what you do DOES matter (so glad you know it), it matters to A!
Preston. I love that name. I may have suggested it..but with a y...so it probably doesn't count :)
What an inspiring and uplifting post Kasey~ you are making a difference!
What a beautiful story. How sweet of you, one person can make a difference. You are living proof that we don't need to change the world, we just need to do one act of kindness for one person and that is good enough, especially for that one sweet person. We all need love.
Hugs,
Kelly
What an awesome thing you're doing for this young lady! She's a lucky gal to be a part of your family...for no matter how long. She'll always carry the love-lessons that you're teaching her.
Oh that just makes me smile. For you to be part of that village that loves little "A" will mean the world to her and help form her into the woman she one day will become. Just precious and it is making a difference. We all should!
You are sweet and so amazing!
Janet
that is wonderful of you, kids like her do need someone to watch over them and you are doing a really good thing. i cried the other night watching american idol when the boy who was in his 20's said he had lived in 20 or so foster homes......no one should have to live their life like that.
God places angels in peoples lives... you are that angle... even if it's not forever... what you are doing will be with her forever and one day she will be an angle for someone... because she learned from all who helped her,
xo,
LuLu
You're an angel on Earth!!! What a lucky little girl 'A' is!
You're amazing! Congrats on the baby!!
Kasey,
Hubs reminded me the other day that what you are doing is exactly how we change the world...one person...one kind deed at a time!
LY
J
You are such a wonderful person Kasey ~ you really are. Taking another child into your home ~ even on a part time basis is hard and I applaud your efforts in helping mold and form this young lady and showing her the true meaning of the world family.
Yeah for baby Preston ~ welcome to the world little one!
Just remember it's the little things that truly add up in the end. We can't all be Angelina Jolie or Madonna adopting 3rd world babies and going to the middle east just because. What we do for our own children, our own families, our own communitites is important to even if it's not publicized. For that girl you are a godsend and when she is older she'll remember you. One person at a time, one day at a time.
I'm loving the new look!
kasey.
Time is something so hard to give yet so needed. Bless you
barbara
very very sweet. it's the little things that count...it sure is...
and, I'm almost totally caught up on your blog...but have refrained from commenting on ALL you're posts...
see ya!
s
how blessed that girl is to have you and your beautiful family in her life.
you clearly have a beautiful soul and are a beautiful inspiration for a special little girl...thank you for your kindness. ann
I have kept this in my reader as "unread" for awhile...I wanted to reread it! What a beautiful way to remind us that what we do *matters*
I think this might be my favorite post of your's Kasey. You are a blessing sweetie. Keep on inspiring others to do the same:)
Good for you for caring and being willing to take the time to help that little girl. I'm sure it means a great deal to her - and to her mother.
Work from home India
What a blessing you are!
I've been reading through the blog and having a great time. You got me here by way of the "cupcake" post . . . the one I keep paging back to look at. Doesn't help when you've been nicknamed "Sugar" either.
Thanks for making the world a little brighter!
jean
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