Heading Home / Mom It's Saturday morning at 7:30 am and we're pulling into the Port of Miami. Going to do a little sightseeing in Miami, as my flight doesn't leave until later today. Saw some beautiful sights while on my vacation but I know you both have the most beautiful sights anyone can imagine. I can't wait to see the grandchildren....of course I bought them some souveniors. Wish I could share the adventure with both of you. Love, Mom
Love and prayers / Carole Mom To Angel Heather Bates (connected by angels )Read >>
Love and prayers / Carole Mom To Angel Heather Bates (connected by angels ) Close
Hi sweetheart....Jeremy is doing well at the Governor's School, he will be in the 10th grade next year. Trent is also doing well, this will be his last year in middle school. Morgan graduated from elementary school and will be going into the sixth grade in September. Michael was presented with several awards in June when he was promoted to the second grade.
Brandon, Jeremy, Trent, Michael, Misty, Jonathan, little Jonathan, Cheyenne, and myself went to see Jamie last weekend. I think they were all ready to get in bed after that six hour drive (one way). We did spend the nite so they could swim in the pool at the hotel while we visited with Jamie. It had been over a year since Jeremy & Trent had seen Jamie.
So many things have been happening, I can't seem to find enough time to post a message. I am getting ready to take some time for myself and go on the road for approximately a month and half. Misty and Jonathan are going to take care of the children (Brandon & Michael) for me part of the time and then Michael will be going to Debra's for a month.
I love and miss you very much...there isn't a day that goes by without thinking of you. Watch over all of us.
I'm Diane Craddock, a 54 year old grandmother from Carrsville Virginia that became a kinship caregiver in February 1996. We gained custody of two young grandsons (my son's children....ages 3 and 4), thinking it would be a temporary situation. The struggles were tremendous for us when we should be enjoying a calm quiet home after our own children grew up and moved out. The financial, physical, and emotional roller coaster for the next eight was overwhelming.... never realizing how much more difficult it could get.
Four years ago my only son (31 years old) died suddenly and his two boys (ages 10 & 11 by this time) were further traumatized by finding him dead. My only daughter (27 years old) moved in to help with his grief stricken boys, never imagining that three and half months later she would be killed instantly when an irresponsible driver crossed the centerline. Her youngest child (3 year old son....one of four children) received a trauma brain injury in the crash. We now had custody of three children; two emotionally disturbed and one physically injuried.
We found out first hand, much needed weekly outpatient counseling sessions are only available for the first year, the following years the minor children are only allowed 26 weeks. Unlike foster care parents, we were not provided the opportunity to receive respite care services. Due to the emotional turmoil, continuous stress, and added financial burdens my husband (of ten years) and I separated Thanksgiving 2006 which contributed to another form of loss for our fragile family.
It is important to focus on prevention vs. removal to reduce long range cost and further trauma for the children. Unfortunately, in February 2007 I had to sign legal papers and transfer custody of my son's youngest child to Virginia Department of Social Services....to protect and provide the extensive care mental health Jamie was in drastic need of. It broke my heart to have to sign the medically needed paperwork but he continually wanted to hurt himself and others. In the first seven months he was placed in foster family homes (three overall). When he misbehaved they took away his right to talk to his remaining family members. Being placed in foster homes contributed to setbacks for him...emotionally feeling he had lost everything and had nothing to look forward to, he continued to regress. In October 2007, the Department of Social Services moved him to a hospital six hours from our home. Last month Jamie turned 15 years old in Keystone Marion Youth Center for emotionally disturbed children. This facility is a six hour drive (one way) from our home, which we make a minimum of one time a month. The trip is emotionally and physically draining for Jamie's 16 year brother and myself.
Foster care is an important part of society but should come after kinship caregivers.....all children should have the right to their family connections. Everyone needs to ALWAYS consider family first and allow kinship caregivers and their minor children the same benefits, rights, and dignity as foster care and their foster children. Remember first and foremost "the best interest of the child" should be everyone's top priority.
CHILDREN WILL NEVER AGE OUT OF BEING FAMILY!!! Take time to imagine the unimaginable... tomorrow it could be your grandchild.
Vacation/ Mom, Loving And Missing You Both (Mother)
Missing both of you as I'm on a mini vacation for rest and relaxation. I spend as much time as possible with all of your children. Jeremy started Governor's School in Petersburg this year (ninth grade), they're all growing up fast. Love, Mom Close
For your wonderful family / Carole Mom To Angel ~Heather Bates Read >>
For your wonderful family / Carole Mom To Angel ~Heather Bates Close
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