Count Your Many Blessings

Yes, Snap, you do have a daddy and you should be down right thankful for the WONDERFUL one you have!!

Working where I do I often get many questions and comments as to how I can handle seeing these children come to the shelter in order to escape the abuse that is happening to their mothers and sometimes themselves at home. Most of the time I am able to leave work, and I do a pretty good job of leaving work there. These children are really happy while they are in the shelter; they are fed, clothed, sheltered, and loved beyond measure. I see them at their best. Yes, they miss home, friends, and their fathers, but realize that they are in a good place and that we can help them have better lives!

My job usually teaches me to go easier on those I love and makes me realize just how lucky I am to have what I have and grateful for the choices that I have made! Working at the shelter really makes it easy (most the time) to forgive when my hubby doesn't take out the trash, make the bed, leaves his shorts in a wad on the floor, or forgets to start the dishwasher in the morning. It is easier to forget these things because I realize that my life could be much worse and that many women endure much hardship by the hands of those who supposedly love them!

With all of this in mind, here is a conversation I had today with 2 students, both girls.

6 year old: Mrs. A., are you going to have a baby? (Up until this point she had never asked about my big belly)
Me: Yes, I am!
6 year old: I think it is a girl...or, maybe it could be a boy. If it's a girl I bet it will look just like you. I look like my mom.
Me: Well, we don't know which it will be but we will find out soon enough.

6 year old: Yeah, but Mrs. A., it's sad that your baby won't have a daddy!

Me: But my baby does have a daddy.
6 year old: It does? Where is he?
Me: He's at home and at work. I don't live here, I go home after work.
7 year old: Yeah, she doesn't sleep here, she goes home after school and then comes back.
6 year old: Oh, okay! (With a very relieved, happy face...isn't it amazing how perceptive and in-tune little ones are. She knows what she's missing right now and didn't want anyone else's baby to go through the same thing.)

So, yes, Snap, you do have a daddy unlike many little kids who don't or whose daddies make poor decisions for their family. You have a daddy who loves you more than you will ever know. He is already a wonderful daddy who would do anything for you or me. When you count your blessings, be sure to include him in your list...right at the very top!