[madwife2002]

Yesterday I went to a fair and met up with a woman I know reasonably well and she was there with 5 children, two of her own girls and 3 friends. She told me that the little girl in pink was one of 5 children and that when her mother was pregnant with her 6th child she went into labour and was killed in a car accident on the way to the hospital.
The father is now left to bring up the children, last winter the little girl onlyu had one jacket and it had holes in it when she went to school she was freezing cold-so Jenny's daughter gave her 3 of her own jackets so she was able to change into warm clothes. Then yesterday she came to stay at Jenny's house her clothes were dirty and worn and were obviously hand me downs. so she washed them and made the liitle girl look pretty. They went to a donut shop and she bought all the girls a donut and a drink-the little girl said to Jenny "Thank you so much for that donut we never get things like that at home, and I have never eaten a donut!!" This little girl is in the 2nd grade, it literally broke my heart so much that next time I go shopping I will be buying one extra thing for this poor little soul.
We never really understand how fortunate we are until we hear stories like these.

[Silverdragon102]

So sad

[Suesquatch]

That's sad, but why doesn't the father wash the girls' clothing and buy them doughnuts?

Maybe the neighbor ladies have to take over a little of the home stuff?

I'm glad you fed them. I have what I call the neighborhood urchins and they're at my house a lot - we do wild things like fix them supper.

[elkpark]

Originally Posted by Suesquatch

That's sad, but why doesn't the father wash the girls' clothing and buy them doughnuts?

Maybe the neighbor ladies have to take over a little of the home stuff?

I'm glad you fed them. I have what I call the neighborhood urchins and they're at my house a lot - we do wild things like fix them supper.

Under the circumstances described, it's entirely possible that the father is so overwhelmed and so crippled/disabled by depression that he is just barely able (or unable!) to look after himself ...

[RGN1]

How sad!! I'm glad there are people like you & your friend to help put a smile back on her face!

[sharrie]

That's really sad, it does make me appreciate how lucky I am. I feel for that poor family

There by the grace of god go I.

[LiverpoolJane]

On a positive note the father it seems has instilled good manners into his children. It is really good to see that these children (and others like them)have real friends and people to care for them when the father for whatever reason lacks the ability / resouces / motivation.

We all know of the local urchins, as Sue says, but not many would show a little kindness to them and extend some hospitality.

These are the type of kids I really want to do well with their education and make a better life for themselves.

[Sueilp]

That certainly makes you think how lucky we are....the poor father must be beside himself with grief....if he has time to grieve that is....bless him.....

[psalm]

There's a way to encourage and give a hand now and then that would not be thru "pity" and I think the donut was a great idea. We saw some of our kids' friends thru some storms...a meal here or there, a few items of clothes "so -and-so just happened to grow out of and might fit your youngun". Extra jobs around the house that we would pay all the kids to do (spring or fall cleaning type stuff), teaching how to make bird houses or shelves with dh's scraps. Trips to rummage sales or having one...