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| A Lost Child by � Cheeta2_1999 I arrived at the doorstep with the baby in my arms. She had been sick and now I was dropping her off to visit with her father and his family . Shaya wasnt my baby but I looked after her quite a bit while her mother attended school. On this day, she was excited. She pulled out her little blond braids and her blue blue eyes were very mischevious! Shaya's aunt was at the window anxiously awaiting Shaya's arrival. I noticed the aunt held another little baby girl in her arms at the window alos. This baby girl was dark, dark skinned and dark eyed..a beautiful child. When I entered the residence, Shaya bounced offf happily as soon as I put her down. My eyes were quickly drawn to the dark baby, Vanessa. She looked at me with such emptiness! With her tiny arms outstretched, she reached for anyone..anyone she felt she could belong to. She seacrhed all these face around her, knowing she didnt belong with them. She was searching for her mother. I had this experience last weekend. I was reminded of it when my own mother visited and had the same experience with vanessa. See, Vanessa is a first nations child and she is only a year old. She is placed in temporary foster care with a non- native family. Vanessa's mom visits her only rarely. Her only link to first nations people is through us. I have no idea how long Vanessa will be there but I don know that it a shame that even small children like herself can feel so out of place and have no sense of belonging. As i told my mother this morning, we have never seen the lost look in a child's eyes like what we had seen that day. She will always be in my thoughts and I know I will go back to her to hold her again.... |