Sweetest thing EVER. From the 18 year old I house and support on Mother's Day.

[Madrone]

Edited to add: She has 6 months CLEAN as of yesterday! :) I am so proud of her.

:cry:


Before I met you, I didn’t have a life. I was afraid to go home because I was afraid of awaited me when I got there. Whether it was my mothers husband, or being emotionally abused by my family. I was so scared to go home at night, so I would stay gone and forget about my problems by getting high.

My mother never helped me with my homework. She never took me grocery shopping with her and taught me how to shop. We never sat down and had a meaningful conversation together. My mother and I never had a relationship that a mother and daughter should have. Our relationship was built around her putting me through pain and misery.

When I met you my life was so different from what I am so use to it being. Meeting you was the best thing that has ever happened to me in my whole life. I’m not use to having someone to talk to. I’m not use to having someone help me or like me for me. I’m not use to having anyone help me with my homework. I’m not use to having someone teach me how to be a better person.

Everything in my life now is nothing I have ever experienced before in my life. I have never been so happy. I love that we can talk about anything. I love that you don’t judge me and call me names, like what I am use to dealing with. You have taught me so much in such a short period of time. You have showed me how to live and taught me how to be a better person. So many things you have taught me how to do, that a mother should teach her daughter. You have giving me so much knowledge and guidance that my mother has never given me before.

Thank you so much for caring for me and not giving up on me already. Thank you for talking to me all those nights we stayed up until 4 in the morning. Thank you for talking to me and helping me when I needed it the most. Thank you for holding my chin up when I was down. Thank you for watching my back and looking out for my best interest. You are like the mother I have never had. Someone who cares about me the way you do. You don’t hurt me and you don’t call me names. You call me on my bullshit and you tell me when I am wrong. You tell me how you feel and you tell me you are proud of me, when I do something I have never done, and when I do something I don’t really want to do. You recognize the good change in me when no one else does. You remember my birthdays and make me feel special. You make me realize that I CAN do this, that I can live a life without drugs. You make me feel like I am a good person and that I can do anything that I want to do.

You have introduced me to photo shop and now I have a dream. A dream I know I can make come true. You have helped me get closer to my dreams and although I slipped for a while, you didn’t give up on me when anyone else that has been in my life would have. You know my dreams and you have made it possible for me to live my dream. You have showed me the steps and given me a chance to work them.

I have a future now that I never thought I would have. You have changed my life in so many ways. I appreciate everything you have ever given me and taught me. You have literally saved my life. Thank you so much for being in my life and teaching me how to be happy and what it feels like to be loved. You are most defiantly the mother I have never had. I love you Jennifer thank you so much for letting me live again and teaching me that I am a good person. I have never felt as happy as I do now that you’re in my life. Thank you Jennifer!

[crispini]

1. oh wow.

:cry: that is so wonderful! may I ask how you got this wonderful young person in your life?

[Madrone]

5. She was dating a co-worker of mine.

He's 10 years older, and started dating her when she was 15. Anyway - he confided in me about their relationship once - then told me her story. She was molested by her mother's husband for a number of years, and she finally went to the police and told them about it when she was 13. He was convicted and served a year in jail. Her mother not only did NOT divorce the guy, she called Jenn a slut and a whore, told her she wanted it and she liked it, and it was her fault that the family was ripped apart. I could fill a BOOK with the horrible things they did and said to her ...

Anyway - I never met her, but the co-worker left for California and couldn't take her with him because she had an upcoming court date. I offered my very humble residence to her thinking it would be a month or two, then she'd be on her way. She ended up getting one year probation, and although I want to move to Austin to be with GOPisEvil we have put our plans on hold so I can stay here with Jenn and help her out. When she's off probation and has more options I plan on leaving to TX - and at this point it looks like she will be going with me. (the boyfriend situation ended up being NOT GOOD - as I found out later)

She came to my house fresh out of rehab in December. She gets off probation on January 8th. She is a remarkable person. She's sweet, kind, intelligent, thoughtful, compassionate ... and no one's ever given her a chance, or given her anything without holding it over her head or wanting something from her. She's only really crossed the line once in the entire time she's lived with me and that was a couple of weeks ago. She made me really angry, but she's gotten past that and seems to have her head back on straight again.

I have told her that I will NEVER abandon her. Not ever. I will not be her bitch and I would not be able to continue our living arrangement if she were to make a lifestyle choice to go back to drugs. I do not, however, expect her to be perfect and if she were to do something bad, or even screw up and use drugs again she will still be welcome here - IF it's a one time thing and she feels regret for doing it. If she decided to go back to that lifestyle, well, I'd have to let her go - but if she decided later to pull herself out again I would again be there for her. She's family now - to me and Dave. We are committed to her and her future. She's worth it, and she deserves it.

[crispini]

7. That's so cool.

:hug:

[u4ic]

2. Awwww...

Once person CAN make a difference!

[flvegan]

3. Thank you for sharing a DU post that bills with the Gods..

Amongst the best, no doubt.

[Madrone]

6. Thanks.

Most impressive was the video she spent all day making for me. Most of the above text was in the video ... with pictures and music. It was very beautiful and I appreciate it more than she can probably understand.

[Oeditpus Rex]

4. You *should* be proud of her

And of yourself, as well. :hug:

[SeattleGirl]

8. Madrone, bless you for reaching out to this young woman, and giving

her the love, caring and support she so desperately needed. :hug:

[Madrone]

9. Nah.

It's all her. She makes it very easy. :) You can't help but WANT to help her ... her attitude, joy, and excitement are infectious.

[SeattleGirl]

12. Because you have made it safe for her.

Don't diminish what you have done. Not everyone would do this. :yourock:

[Nicole]

10. That is so sweet.

I'm glad you two found each other. :)

[idgiehkt]

11. this is incredibly touching

God bless you for doing this. 6 months is an eternity, the early period is the toughest part, it just gets easier after that. You are an angel.

[lizziegrace]

13. I knew I shouldn't have read this at work

:cry:

I've told you in PMs that you're my hero and it's obvious that you're Jenn's hero. I agree with Seattlegirl completely. You made her feel safe. That safety and security allows her to grow, change and try new paths knowing that if she succeeds, you'll cheer her on. If she fails, you'll help her get up and try again.

To you Madrone. :toast:

and lots of :hug:

You are a remarkable woman. And so's Jenn.