Three Weeks

As of this past Saturday, April 21st, Justice has been living with her father for three whole weeks.

We moved her up on March 31st, along with the dresser and desk we had bought her and her six boxes of clothes, books, toys, stuffed animals and more clothes. And then she filled two big gym bags with more clothes.

I had no idea she owned so many clothes.

The trip was uninspiring. Lil and I talked quite a bit. We explained to Justice that the court had not finalized the interim request, and that they may might make her live somewhere else until the May 5th court hearing.

We dropped off her stuff, hugged her goodbye and then we were gone.

I'd like to say that I was sad. That would be the noble, altruistic, "right" thing to say.

I can't say that.

Relief washed over me like the Red Sea washed over Pharoh's soldiers as they charged toward the "helpless" Jews. It was a deluge. A veritable flood that left me slightly euphoric and has not entirely faded altogether.

It wasn't Justice herself, but rather everything she represented. The broken system, the headaches and heartaches of trying to do something good for someone less fortunate. The painful calls, the accusations, the ride in the back of a police car, and endless, endless, endless hours spent on the phone trying to get someone, anyone to pick up and work for the betterment of a single child.

I was romantically cyncical before becoming a foster parent, believing that while there was evil in the world, it could be overcome, usually with a song and dance number. No more. Now, I know, while there is evil in the world, mostly it is because mediocre people are given responsibilities beyond their means, and then they take on an apathatic view that paralyzes them from taking any action that might be deemed apropriate.

Social Worker Dayle Kline and Social Worker Nancy Souza, and all the other mediocre and less-than-stellar individuals that we worked with were just going through the motions. I'd say phoning-it-in, but they never picked up the phone or returned a call.

So there it is. My two year oddessy into the realm of foster care, adoption and a little girl named Justice.