It was a heck of a week last week---and this week started off pretty bad!

I worked my second job today. When I got there this morning, things were quiet--we only had 2 girls there and they were asleep. 2 girls had ran away the night before, and another girl was on a home visit...

At about 1230, we got a call that the "runners" had been found by law enforcement, and we needed to go pick them up. Get them back to the house and they are attitude and mouth. So after the formalities were done, one girl wanted to take a shower. About 10-15 min. later I hear the other staff member hollering at me to "get in here!". One of the girls who had ran, tried to kill herself in the bathroom w/ a BIC razor she tore apart. I spent, what felt like an eternity, holding this girl down and trying to stop the bleeding. Eventually, police got there (it probably was like MAYBE 5 minutes), EMS got there---and this child is still bleeding, fighting and begging me to let her die. Then she's begging the officer to just shoot her. She kept telling me not to care about her, and not to love her and not to want to help her because she didn't deserve any of that. Finally when law enforcement and EMS took over, I had to go comfort/console the other 3 girls.
So, when I finally got all the calls made (on-call supervisor, caseworker, girl's parents, etc) completed an incident report AND cleaned up the bloody mess of a bathroom (and there was a lot of blood, and it was everywhere...) my shift was over.
I went to the hospital to check on her. She looked at me and said "why are you here?" I told her I was worried about her and wanted to make sure she was ok. I told her that no matter what she did, I cared about her and I loved her. She got off the bed and came and hugged me....

Dear God, my heart breaks for this girl. My heart breaks for all of the girls, actually. This beautiful, intelligent, and lovely child doesn't think she's worthy of other people caring about her! How does that happen? How do children get so twisted and screwed up that they don't think they are worth anything to anyone?

It was truly one of the worst experiences I have ever had. But....it was also one of the most rewarding as I *HOPE* she realized that I do care and I do love her. It also made me even more appreciative of my family.
*sigh* ladies and gentlemen--hug your kids, let them know they are worthy of love!

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

You know Marilyn, I'm so glad you were there to let her know you cared. She obviously needed it. As I was reading that with the title, I see how it was horrible, but I also see how it was so awesome for you (and her) to have made such a difference today in that girls life. What a gratifying thing to have been a part of (now that she's ok).

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

It's a wonderful thing that there are ppl out there like you who are willing to poor into these kids, Marilyn. I know it's hard, but good job.

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Melissa

Keep up the good work!
It sounds like this girl needs all the love and positive emotions that she can get!
Thank you for caring.................so many others wouldn't have.

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Square dancing is friendship set to music!

Wow....thank god for people like you! It sounds like she really needs all the help she can get. After reading your post, it made me realize just how lucky most of us are. We don't have to deal with the pressures of a job that involves day to day drama. It takes a very special person to handle such situations!

Wow..just wow. I'm so glad you were there for and did not give up on her. I'm sure it is going to be the difference between trying to kill herself again and getting past the depression.

I would call that a good day...you know what I mean. It could have been much worse and in short, you really not only helped save her, but going to the hospital was probably the best thing that's happened to her in a long while...just finding out someone sincerely cares about her.

Working 2 jobs and still taking the time to go to the hospital to see her? You have an amazing spirit!

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Mary

Teenagers are such fragile people. Hormones and all new life experiences ( going from child to being expected to act like and adult) and responsibilities, it is not an easy time.
Thank God you were there and could assist this child in her time of need. I am sure she will need more extensive help/treatment with her depression.

Good job taking care of her! It must be really hard on you though.

When dealing w/ these girls I know that I could have been one of them when I was a teenager! I was fortunate enough to have a family that was supportive, loving---and tough on me when I needed it. I made some very poor decisions in my youth---heck, I've made bad decisions as an adult.

It is hard sometimes to see them hurting so badly.
And having suffered from some severe depression--bad enough that I contemplated killing myself on a few ocassion--I do understand how a person can get to that point. They just don't have the coping skills to get through the rough parts. And, well, they are teenagers--they don't just don't believe that an adult can understand.

I highly recommend, to anyone, who has "free" time--volunteer w/ Big Brothers/Big Sisters or some other organization that provides services for adolescents. These kids need all the help they can get sometimes. You don't have to have special "skills" or "talents". You just have to be able to look past their smart mouth, their sometimes crappy attitudes and their tough outer shell.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I would LOVE to work at a place like that. The one nearest us is about 50 miles away. Not to toot my own horn, but I'd be good at it. Maybe that's what I 'll do when I grow up. lol

Again, Marilyn....good job!

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Melissa

Good job Marilyn I'm sure you made her think and perhaps it's just the beginning of the change in her life.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I always say "you never know how you will influence a person". I think you have left a positive mark on this girl's life, and hopefully she can see things in a more positive way. Some of the things that come out of kids' mouths is enough to break your heart.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Bless you for your caring and your efforts, Marilyn.

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

I totally agree wonderful job there should be more people who care out there and perhaps our world would be a better place . Peace in this holiday season 09. Catherine

I am so glad that God has brought you into this young girls life.

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John 14:1
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