"Throw Away Children"

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women's Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nurture the soul.

This month the Genre-istas have the topic of "Real Life Heroes and Heroines". Although most of us write something on topic, a few of us don't and that's perfectly okay. We hope you check back often during the month to learn about real life heroes and heroines. Remember, Genre-istas come from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States (actually from Alaska to the Carolinas in the U.S.).

Of course there are the women and men we read about every day in the newspapers and see on television, the ones whose lives are depicted in “based on true incidents/lives” movies.

Not taking anything away from any of those heroines and heroes, I’ve another point of view based on fifty years of working in education and social services.

Take the young man in high school who showed up every day to my class and even got permission to come to my class when he had other classes to attend. I met him about twenty years later. That’s when I learned about the alcohol abuse and domestic violence that was the norm in his family or origin. He’d found a different path for himself…not an easy path by any means. He had a good job, loving wife and children and great English Spaniel dogs (yes, I’m a dog lover). What he had to overcome in order to manifest that which he did not have as a child was enormous.

Another every day heroine is my neighbor who volunteers every Sunday at the state school for boys i.e. juvenile prison. She got involved when she retired and wanted something to do with her time. First she volunteered with Project Pooch and that’s how she got to know the incarcerated teenagers. She teaches them beading. The program is called “Beading The Odds”. My neighbor not only teaches them beading (and there is a wait list to get into her Sunday afternoon class), she writes grants for donations, sells their jewelry and other items at local craft fairs, etc.

I know from my years of working in child welfare that it makes a big difference to these young people to see people who are Not getting paid to help them show up. The fact that she does show up is, in itself, healing to them. Helps them see that adults can be trusted, can be caring and concerned.

When I was a case worker, I had a young girl who also overcame the odds and eventually found a loving husband, raised three great girls and made solid supportive friends.

 The fact that she keeps in touch with me at all means a great deal.

At this time of year, many politicians are eager to share their humble beginnings to show that they are just like everyone else. I’ve yet to hear one of them talk about being beaten, locked in closets, raped or starved much less abandoned to fend for themselves as a teen.

Gabriella (due to be released summer 2016) is about one of those ‘throw away’ children who lived on the streets because that was safer than being home with her mother. Not only does she have the basics of food, shelter, etc. to figure out but she also has to find her way past the shame of being one of the ‘throw away’ children, find the right to love and be loved in spite of (or perhaps because of) all that she endured and survived and overcame.

I encourage you to look around you and to see the ‘throw away’ children. Know that what makes a difference is for someone to see them and believe they can have and are worthy of a good life.

You can learn more about The Sacred Women’s Circle series on my website.

Check out my Windtree Press author page.

Follow me on Twitter: @JudithAshley19

I’m also on Facebook

© 2016 Judith Ashley