I am the Grandmother of (girls names). I have not seen the girls a whole lot because of the distance between where we live and my work schedule and their mothers work schedule. But, I will say that they definitely are not the same girls I know when I last saw them just a few months ago. When I would come to visit them or they would come up here for X-mas, they were very active and talked a lot about things. They would sing and dance. We would go shopping or go to Chuckee Cheese and play for hours. We have had several get togethers at Chuckee Cheese with their Aunts and Uncles and Cousins, and they have a blast. Oldest even came and stayed with us for two weeks a couple summers ago. She had so much fun and really enjoyed when I took her shopping for school clothes. She wanted to put on a fashion show with her cousin Rachel. I have pictures to show what a great time they were having. She tried on every outfit and modeled it and I took pictures. Very much having a good time. I took care of the 2nd oldest for a few months and also the youngest. (girls name) had been going to Caze school, and was doing very well. The teacher had complemented on what a great student she was. We were taking her to church every Sunday and she was enjoying her class on Sunday mornings, and was also enjoying an after school event at the church every Wednesday after school for kids in grade 1-5. She was happy and doing very well. The youngest was in a daycare that she really liked, and they liked her. She looked forward to going every day. She liked her teacher. She would give me big kisses and hugs when I dropped her off, and then run to the window and wave while I drove away. She also enjoyed her class on Sunday mornings. These two girls were very sweet and loving. They did both talk a lot to their papaw and I. And on Sundays after church when we would go out to eat after church, they had SO MUCH to say!
I enjoyed having them here, and I had thought it was gonna be a good thing for all the girls when they went to be all together with their siblings. And it was not easy. But with knowing that they could all live together in the same house with a couple that could provide for their needs and the girls all getting to be together, we thought that would be great for them.
But, I now I feel totally different about that now. Those girls are not the same little girls that I knew. When I first went to see them shortly after they went to stay at that house, when they opened the door and saw me and their aunt and cousin, they were so surprised and so happy. They jumped up and down and then wouldn’t stay off our laps and had so much to say, gave lots of hugs and kisses, and was really happy to pose for pictures for me. They were pretty happy to see us. The weird thing was that even though the three little ones were jumping up and down, the oldest gave a strange look and said to her aunt that they had been told by the (custodians) that they would never see us again because we did not like them anymore. I did not know that till when we were leaving, I was getting loving from the other ones, so I did not get to see that. I wish I would have heard that, I would have assured (girls name) that yes her family does still love and want to see her. Then the next time I came down there I called (mrs custodian) on a Friday night and asked if I could see my Grandkids the next day on Saturday. She said that yes I could but to be sure to call before I came over . I waited and called after I figured they had time to get up and get breakfast and get dressed and all. The first time I called it rang for a while and then went to voice mail. The second time I called it went straight to voice mail, like when your phone is turned off. Now that really upset me because I had really wanted to see the girls. So we stopped by the house thinking something was wrong with her phone, since the night before she told me I could come see the girls on Sat. No one was home.
So since we knew where they were taking the girls their aunt and cousin and I decided to go there, since it was to see Santa and their aunt was gonna take their cousin to see Santa anyway. We got there right after they did because we saw them walking into the store as we pulled up. We got in line behind them, about 3 people or so on front of us. I was trying to get their attention, just waiting for them to turn around and be surprised to see us. Couldn’t quite get up to them because of the other people. Then when (2nd oldest) turned around and saw us, we expected a smile and an excited reaction, but instead it was really weird. She gave a funny , kinda scared look and got right next to (mrs. custodian) and kinda acted like she would be in so much trouble if she even looked at us. She would look again to see if we were still there and then look at (mrs custodian) again. Really weird. And then when (3rd child) saw me started to smile and then did the same thing,acting like she was scared of something. These were not the same girls I knew. (oldest child) just gave a mean look and looked away. Something is definitely going on. I really think they are totally scared to talk to us for some reason. I asked the girls if I could get a group picture of them and then put them in place and took their picture. Then I asked (mrs. custodian) if I could please visit with them some that afternoon since I did not get to that morning. One of the little girls blurted out, can we, not sure who that was, but then (mr. custodian) said that it was not for them to decide. (Mrs. custodian) did not give me an answer. We waited around for awhile just watching the girls. (Mrs. custodian) still never said to me that we could visit. She just totally ignored us. (Mr. custodian) blocked the way so that we could not get close to the girls and even talk to them. They sat them down at a table to color and blocked the way. Sometimes one of them would turn around and look at us, and (3rd child) would smile, but something was just not right. Then they gathered all the girls together and kept them very close to them and walked off to the other side of the store away from us. They did purposely avoid us. Making sure that we could not get close to them.
This whole ordeal got me very upset. I do not think that these girls are being taken care of very well. These are not the same girls that I know. It is like total opposites. And if these girls have been told that their REAL FAMILY does not want anything to do with them any more, that makes me very angry!!! I had thought it would be great for these girls to be able to live in the same house while all this stuff gets settled, but it has been a big mistake for these people to be taking care of them. It is really a shame that these people have turned them against their family. They have so much family up here. Something has got to be done before these girls lives are really messed up. These are their very important developing ages right now. They need their MOM! She loves them very much and so do we. Their Aunt used to be such a big part of their lives and now they act like they don’t even know her. Also, their uncle. They have had them at their house so many times. They have taken them places and bought them things. Something has happened , and I don’t like it one bit. These girls need to be back with their family. Not these people that are probably just in it for the money.
This whole thing has really upset me. My husband and I have had 8 children and I know what it is to love you kids and want to take care of them. It is a lot of work but I would never have wanted to not have done it. And I want to be able to see my grandkids, ALL my grandkids. I have felt so guilty for not keeping those kids here with us instead. But I also feel very sorry for the girls that they have had to live there. I am so sorry that these people have not been good for the girls. Something is going on there and it needs to be stopped before it is too late. Whatever threat is over them girls needs to be gone. These girls deserve to be happy and taken care of. Their mother has worked very hard to get them back. She has done everything she was asked to do, plus more. Their Aunt and uncle, me and my husband, and all the rest of their family want them back . And I bet that is what the girls REALLY want also. What is really best for the girls?????? Their Mom and her support team, her family!
Thank you for your time.
Worried Grandma