Another family

There was another family that came into the shelter today and hit a little closer to home for me. I am hispanic and relate to hispanics, but I guess I consider myself to be more of european descent. That is just how I have grown up thinking. So a family walked in today, the mother looking young and distressed. There are four kids, with the oldest boy looking about 12 or 13, and the youngest girl being about 2. The mother is also about 7 months pregnant. It really just broke my heart to see them in the shelter. I took them to the cafeteria to get lunch as the mom explained to me how she had taken them all out of school before lunch, and as I reassured her that it was OK, that's why we have a cafeteria. As I looked at the older children, I could tell that they were very aware of the situation their mother was in. The oldest boy seemed quiet and seemed to have a raincloud over his countenance. He probably knows that it is best and safest for the family to be here, but how difficult would it be for your family all of the sudden to move into a shelter? And on top of that, for you to move in because your dad is abusing your mom? Even if you know it's wrong, you still love your dad. So, I served them lunch and tried to be as kind to the family as I possibly could, to make them feel more comfortable. I tried to look into the eyes of the children and laugh with them, hoping that some of the strength of my spirit might be passed on to them. I haven't worked in the crisis shelter for a little while, so I guess I am not used to seeing this all the time anymore. I work with families who have been in the shelter for at least 30 days and are more settled into their new life. The need to follow the family around and protect them from anything and everything that may come their way is not so strong there. I really just wanted to follow each child in order to encourage and support them. These are some terrible years to have as your first, and they will teach them many things those children should not be learning. I want to undo all of those things. I want to fill those childrens' lives with love and security. But all I can do is cry a little bit and share as much love and laughter with them that I can.