Visits with Adam give me strength.
Rise Magazine is by and for parents affected by the Child Welfare System. Both the Editor and the Editorial Director thought I had some very interesting stories to tell. I’m absolutely delighted to share with you that Rise accepted my submission packet and they’ll be publishing my w0rk! As of now I’ll be doing several pieces for them– hopefully that number will multiply as time progresses– and am so thrilled to have this incredible opportunity to share my experiences with others.
It is with tremendous sadness that I must inform you I no longer work for the church. Although I resigned [and I truly loved the job] it was an amicable parting of ways. Because I try valiantly to keep my personal and professional lives private, my coworkers were largely in the dark about the magnitude of my situation. I owed them the respect of being straightforward. They did not realize that the second Adam’s free [whether he is returned to me or adopted by my parents]– whenever that may be– I am renting a U-Haul, packing my stuff, and driving back to Memphis immediately. We all agreed that my focus should be getting Adam and reuniting my family as soon as possible. Since I had not yet resumed work following my maternity leave, it made sense that this would be an appropriate time to make my departure. What a tremendous honor it was to work for them.
My phenomenal coworkers, the church, and the countless individuals with servant’s hearts and infinite kindness I met through this special place will receive their own post at a later date.
Bills aren’t going to pay themselves, however. I’m actively searching and have already started the interview circuit for two part-time jobs. Not to sell myself short….but I’m not overly concerned with finding a position that is indicative of my experience and education. Find me a place I can start TOMORROW and where I’m perfectly expendable. 
Tatum, 7 weeks
Remember those pesky bruised ribs and that partially collapsed left lung I discussed? The ribs still hurt like hell, my lung hasn’t gotten any better [though thankfully not any worse], and now I have severe bronchitis which is in danger of escalating into pneumonia. Awesome.
I refrained from mentioning last week’s visitation debacle with Adam on my blog. Facebook friends certainly got an earful but I just didn’t have the energy to rehash the upsetting and infuriating ordeal here. One component of said debacle involved a ‘visitation agreement’ the social worker demanded I sign under threat of having my visits revoked entirely. I refused. Today I took a red pen– like the kind teachers use for grading papers– and modified 5 of the 18 statements on the document. Upon giving it to our supervisor I asked her if she would be so kind as to pass it on to the social worker and if she agreed with my changes then I’d love to put my John Hancock on the bottom of it.
Exciting legal things are happening. Without divulging too much information, all I can say is that Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C are in effect. In the courtroom, behind the scenes, on the web….people are fighting for Adam.
No words can describe the hell I’ve endured since I returned to California alone. Pure agony. It’s a cruel and unusual punishment where the ones who truly suffer are my two innocent children. Despite all the suffering, something’s changed recently: I have a feeling fr0m deep within that this nightmare will be over soon, that we’re not going to be here very much longer.
With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,
Sloane
