Today marks a difficult day for me. Three years ago I lost one of the most precious jewels God blessed me with, my sweet Priscilla. Its a day often filled with tears but also fills my heart hearing from her friends both here in NC as well as in AZ and PA. Priscilla was a very special young lady and touched many hearts over the years. While we mourn her loss and miss her dearly, we rejoice at the time we were blessed to have her in our lives. I watch her friends growing up and keep in touch with so many of them, wishing she were still her laughing and carrying on the way Priscilla did with so many. For those of you reading this today that knew her, may your heart be comforted. Sending love and hugs to you all.
Well, as I stated last week, I have an 18 year old young man who has moved in with me. This past week we have taken some time to get to know each other and help him acclamate to my household. The first night he was with us, my son, he and I sat on my bed talking and laughing while we played cards spontaneously. We have attended 2 baseball games, one with friends and one just "our family," as he said. Needless to say, that warmed my heart. He is a very hard worker and has been eager to do things for me as well as be by my side whenever I am home, tonight he is cooking us dinner. He told me he likes to cook and I am looking forward to the opportunity to let him make one of his 'specialties'. This week we signed a contract for him to stay with me 2 years, after a 30 day trial period. Please join me in welcoming Coty to the family if you see us out and about.
My headline probably makes you think - Are you crazy? You just told us last week you were struggling with walking a mile... well, this is actually not that kind of running but the kind that is near and dear to my heart.
Last Thursday I received a phone call from someone that heard I wanted to help kids aging out of foster care. She explained to me that she has a boy who, as of today, is turning 18 and will no longer be allowed to stay with the family he is currently placed with. Organizations are trying to help him find housing but they keep running into the same glitches I ran into with my daughter a few years ago. If the youth does not have a problem with drugs or alcohol then it is near impossible to find help. They had secured a place for him with Durham and Raleigh Rescue Mission but were still looking for something that would be better and potentially long term. I prayed about this for a couple of days and just couldn't let it go so I called the Social Worker on Saturday and said I would like the opportunity to meet the young man on Sunday. Well, today I met him and just about started to weep at the dinner table. This young man looked at me completely empty with such sorrow and fear in his eyes. Would he sit there and tell me he was fearful, no, but as a mother I could see it. We sat and talked and enjoyed fellowship, along with 2 of my kids, and he started to really loosen up and relax. He talked sports with my son and laughed and told stories for about an hour. A couple hours after meeting him the Social Worker called and said that he was very excited and would appreciate the opportunity to come and live with me. I told her that I would be willing to bring him in on a 30 day trial and take it from there. I would absolutely love to provide the support this young man is needing. Support to help him build confidence in who he is and see him accomplish all that he sets his mind to. He started talking about sports and I told him I would greatly support his participation in anything school related and I would be there right beside him at every event. He looked at me as if to say, "really." Yes really - I will be there for you every step I can on this race for your success. I am looking forward to running..... Three weeks of silence is completely unexcusable. Please forgive me....
My pride has gotten in the way and I am sorry. When I set out to do this walk I expected to be able to go full force and walk at least 3-5 miles per day. Little did I expect to have problems with my knee. It's frustrating to think that I year ago I completed my first Triathalon and now I am challenged to walk a mile. The good news is that it is arthritis, so nothing that requires surgery or anything serious. The bad news is, it's arthritis, making it so I have to slowly work my way up to the 3-5 miles per day. I am determined to do this and will not give up. Please stand by me and don't be afraid to push me!!! As of today I have walked 35.75 miles - a long way to go but it will be done. |
AuthorMaurita McCorkle Archives
January 2021
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