Jasmine's Place Issue No. 1 - September/October 2012 | Page 18

INSPIRATIONAL Helen Dowd Totally exhausted after a day of chasing goats, chickens, ducks, geese, dogs and cats, and three preschool children, I dropped into my lazy boy chair. I had no sooner dozed off when the six school-aged children burst in from school, all tumbling over each other, trying to be the first to tell me about their day. I closed my eyes, trying hard not to let the tears escape. I wanted to shout at the children, tell them to “be quiet!” But I didn't have to. Lucile, the oldest girl, a very softhearted, caring child, saw my distress and asked, “Mom? What's wrong?” It was then the tears really came. Usually I welcomed their enthusiasm, but today I just wished the whole world would vanish, and take me with it. Being only twenty-eight, and having nine foster children ranging in age from four to fourteen was sometimes a bit much. It had been one of those days! The responsibility and work was sometimes JASMINE'S PLACE 1