Entire family missing 'Joey' every day
That little sweet-ums, Joey, is my missing nephew! His brothers and sisters, along with our teenagers, have toddled him around our farm many times. He’s tromped in the puddles with our daughter, Betti, whom he just adores and smothers with kisses whether she likes it or not. He has snuck into the garden with her and gotten lost in the green beans. Where is he? Where is he now? We want to watch those two toddlers hold hands, wander around and explore the barn and catch the wily kittens. We want to see him fall and dirty his knee and be scooped up by Anna or Lacey with a gentle hug and a little kiss on the knee of his jeans.
I can’t handle the constant thoughts that roam through my brain every waking minute as I try to carry on with my life. I start to tear up at any given moment while at work or snuggling with my own children. It only takes a thought. I wonder how he’s feeling at that very moment. After work when I pick the girls up at preschool, they run to me, smiling, so happy to see me. Again, so blessed! When will Anna get to pick up her son from daycare and have him run up to her with his hands open wide for that big hug and kiss? I pick up Betti and Clara, my own daughters, and squeeze and hug them with absolute praise to Jesus for my beautiful blessings and with damp eyes I am so thankful to be able to physically comfort and love my children.
I am sick of hearing him called Joey … I want to hear his real name! I worry continually about his mental health and if he will not recover from this traumatic experience. (Lutheran Social Services, a foster-adopt agency labels any child over the age of 2 being placed with a new family: a child with special needs.) Will he suffer with Reactive-Attachment Disorder for the rest of his life because of this? Will his feelings of abandonment cause him great harm while he is trying to adapt to a new way of life? Does he cry himself to sleep? Does he sleep? Does he dream of all his amazing, loving brothers? Does he need his sister, my sweet and caring niece, to rock him to sleep?
My little girls need their big brothers! They are teenagers, yet when our girls are sad, cranky, sleepy, hungry, playful or just wanting their undying attention, they step up! They rock, snuggle, watch “The Lion King” in the beanbags, rough-house, tickle, and make a mean peanut butter and jelly. Above all, they make personal and lifelong connections daily for our girls to always remember and imprint the bonds that families create to allow children a feeling of complete, unconditional love and safety.
Why do we expect/allow less for some children than others? Please help bring Joey home!
KRYSTAL TRAVERS
Sandpoint