Almost time to move on

I had a YTC (youth in transition) conference today for my oldest client. She is starting college on Monday, and soon we will be dismissing court jurisdiction. She doesn't yet realize that when we dismiss, I get dismissed too. She's ready, she can totally advocate for herself now, and she's grown so much. I keep telling myself that normal teens don't have Guardians and workers and lawyers. It is time for her to start the normal healthy rest of her life. It's really hard though. I know we do this for the kids, but 2 years is a long time to be together. I am going to miss having dinner, and all our talks. I LOVE the endless teen optimism and energy. I am dreading the next meeting where I need to point out to her that I am going to be gone from her life soon. I think this is going to be a really hard conversation.

Having a blog is like a new pair of shoes. Well you can't wear it. Or tie it. OK it's not like a new pair of shoes. It is really intimidating to think of all the things that I can write here, and can't think of yet.

So where does a low level civil servant go to get a bite around here? East downtown by the metrodome is a vast fast-food wasteland...There ahead in the distance, reasonably priced food that is actually healthy!!!Yes, folks it is the HCMC hospital cafeteria! True this: they have the best garlic cheese toast in the entire universe. They also have a decent salad bar, and even home-made tator tot hot dish (which I don't eat because it has meat in it). If you look for us during lunch, we are probably at the Caf. Vic swears by the Tuna salad samiches, and I have managed to addict Marti to the seafood bisque which is so good it should be illegal.

2nd choice, Thrivent employee cafeteria, 2nd floor, thrivent building. Really good homemade pizza.

You can't make this stuff up...

OK rules for the blog-
1) Please do post. I want this to be a site that you can read for support, and write to support other.
2) NO Names or other identifying information allowed!!! I will take off immediately any posts that violate data privacy. No exceptions. Our kids and their families deserve that .
3) Please exercise kindness and compassion. Remember that we are dealing with families experiencing trauma and grief.
4) Have FUN!!! WE need to be able to laugh at ourselves and life to help keep things in eprspective.
5) Kitties are always welcome.

Expectations for the blog-
Remember that the views expressed in this blog are my opinions solely and do not reflect the opinion of the State of MN GAL program, district court, or anyone else in the program. Or CASA. Or anyone. :)

I will try to make daily postings, and update whenever possible, but I work and go to school, and have an internship coming up.