WILMINGTON — I'm a young child. My family isn't perfect, but I love them, and they love me. Sometimes they don't show it perfectly, but they are the most important people in the world to me.
I'm a young mother. I am innocent of the charges the state has leveled against me. It's been proven in court, but I can't have my kids back.
I've gone through all the programs the state has asked me to go through. I've even figured out how to get to these programs with no car. I lost my job, because I had to take so much time off to go to the programs the state wanted me to go to, but I can't have my kids back.
I'm a young mother. I have my hands full, and I'm always just scraping by. I love my kids. Sometimes I get overwhelmed. After all, I've just barely become a grownup, and I'm learning about life, parenting, and protecting my kids.
I was convinced that the best thing for my kids would be to give them up to the state, because I didn't have the money for gas to get them to the state's programs and I couldn't keep up with all the appointments. I was told my kids would get all the services they'd need, they'd stay together, and as soon as I was stable, I could have them back.
The state didn't keep them together, and it's hard to get stable when you have no vehicle, income, or housing, and you can't get a job just because the state wants you to.
I'm a young father. I have my hands full. I'm trying to figure out this thing called life, my relationship, parenting, and how to support and protect my family. I've done some things right, and I've made some mistakes. I paid the price.
I'm working hard at learning how to do things differently, and working nights, and seeing my kids as much as the state will let me. I'm doing all the programs they've ask me to do, but they're never satisfied. I can't have my kids back, and I love my family.
I am a young child. I miss my family. I cry for them at night, but these people tell me the state knows best. I beg to go home, but they tell me the state knows best.
I miss the smell of my mom and my dad's rough hard-working hands, but the state knows best.
I miss my mom tucking me into bed at night, and kissing me on the forehead, and tickling me, and hugging me, and reading to me, and playing with me, but the state knows best. I miss my brother, even when we fight. He's always my best bud, but the state knows best. I miss my grandparents, and their laps, and the smell of Grandma's cooking, and Grandpa's tractor rides, but the state knows best.
I am the state of Vermont, the Department of Children and Families. I am in charge of your family and your placement. I know better than anyone how you need to be taken care of; even if no one was abusing you, you must do as I say.
I'm sorry that you miss your family and that you want to go home, but as a highly trained professional, I have the power to tell you and your family where you should live. I am smarter than your family, and I'm smarter than love. So hush, and do as I say. Don't try to put a chink in my armor with your silly talk about family and love.
I am a young child, and I want my family back. My family isn't perfect, but I love my family. Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry. I'll be good. I want to go home. I miss my family.