i met two sisters,
one around 9 and the other is 6,
while in the country during my brief stay.
the youngest sister reminded me of my sister at that age tbh.
glasses,
soft-spoken,
reserved,
but very observant.
when i learned these girl’s stories,
it broke my heart…

They were being fostered at the place where I was.
Their mother killed their father and was serving 10+ years.

what made me sad is where i was staying,
the family is older.
like,
very old.
they are relatively good girls but they are around people 70+ in age.
they give them the best care and love so that isn’t the issue.
they are taking care of growing young girls.
girls who need help with their homework,
going to the park,
and all that jazz that comes with growing up.
it may be different in the south,
especially where i was.
i asked what would happen if they can’t take of them any longer.

“They’ll have to go into the system.”

i nearly bawled.
the fact that these two sisters would be spilt up hurt me.
i think we all already know how the system is.

the youngest one,
who reminded me of my sister,
is extremely gifted.
i was sitting on the floor,
saying that I hope God worked something out,
and she said to me:

“God will work out all things for you.
Just pray to him and he will be there.”

this girl is 6.
one of the elders of the household told me that she said:

“If my mama listened to God and didn’t touch that gun,
she wouldn’t be in jail.”

she is holding onto her faith and gets upset if she misses church.
again: this girl is 6.

i really hope they protect these girls.
these forests can easily change them like it did my sister.
my sister and i got split up and it def shifted our life experiences.
i’m gonna always pray for them.

i don’t want kids but i contemplated fostering children in the future.
it’s a wild dream but those little ones inspired me.