Ready for a true story that reads like soap fiction, processes the mind like idiocy, and puts human trust on an animal level? Let’s just say, that’s an understated question. I don’t know. You be the judge.
Twenty five years ago, a young woman turned her life around so that she could have a good husband and build a family. She’s not unlike many of us. Not perfect. Chose partners and husbands for the wrong, but traditional reasons. The first time, she married so young to someone whom she trusted and it turned out that he was not who she thought he was. Not the knight in shining armor, much less a paternal possibility. After all, Angela came from a happy family of 10 children, and, though knew the benefits of a large family, was one of the babies, and desired to extend the blessings of having one of her own. They tried, but motherhood was not selective for her as she had several miscarriages. The marriage failed.
Radically, she chose the military for a few years, hopeful of getting a good education and a job. As a career, it wasn’t for her. Time went on. She tried again at marriage with one she truly loved and wanted children with. But after 9 years, and numerous miscarriages, she was heartsick that she was also in the center of her husband’s bizarre maze of bi-polar. With , still, no children, she didn’t want another aimless path. Her husband left and never returned.
Angela tried nursing school, and worked with Home Healthcare. It was hard, and didn‘t seem right for her. Also, she decided to drop the idea of searching for Mr. right and having children for awhile by pursuing a degree in social work. A decision she’s never regretted. As an ironic plus, she counsels children in the school corporation, which has proven to contribute to her moral and steadfast profile. But time was marching across her biological time clock and she became involved with Palmer, a graduate school educator and thought this was really it. He seemed to want the same things, most of all, children. They moved in together and seemed to do all right for about 3 years. She, on the other hand didn’t think about what was about to happen. She couldn’t imagine that what seemed like a miracle for her becoming a potential wife as well as a mother by proxy would turn out to be a nightmare locked in Pandora’s box.
Stung by the grief of unsuccessful marriage, she took a chance with this man and signed a contract with a surrogate mother. In spite of Angela’s infertility, Palmer seemed willing to contribute with his own sperm with the selective carrier to have the baby they would both enjoy. Simultaneously, Angela had to formally adopt with the father so that the child had definite parents. But on the first day home after the birthing, Angela got the shock of her life. Palmer verbally abused her, saying that she was nothing to him and in obscene language, told her to get out. All she could think was, Oh, no. this can’t be not another one with mental illness…surely not! And it continued. Angela took the brow beating for as long as she could but considering that she wanted to raise a child in a happy, healthy environment, she took their daughter, Scarlett, and moved into a nice home.
Of course, the law stepped in. And so did chaos. Briefly, let’s just say that the father got his way, pulled the child away from her mother and has custody by using his power in the system to discredit and shamelessly slander Angela in tedious, invalid ways. In the meantime, she senses Palmer‘s reason for secluding the child, hardly ever taking her anywhere or allowing more visits with Angela. When Scarlett stays with her, she observes signs of probable neglect. She isn‘t always properly dressed for the seasons, (doesn’t have a coat at her father’s home) has seen odd physical reenactments that suggest possible sexual violation. Things she is trained to recognize. (Her attorneys advised that the alleged implications would be short lived, but to legally hang in there.) He plays mental games with her all the time while not allowing her more than eight visits a month. Eight visits! I know there are always two sides to a story, and there are reasons for everything. But now that I know both sides and had the information confirmed from other sources, I’ve discerned this to be so pathetic and immoral, that I needed to share it with you readers!
Here’s the update: Angela’s had two attorneys who decisively dropped her case just because in this particular area of the country, lawmen stick together and, due to Palmer’s social influence and power, don’t want to rock the boat. She is seeking favorable advocacy, but it is dragging along. She is virtuously waiting it out just so that she is not separated from her daughter completely, praying for someone to take the case before it is too late for the one who had nothing to do with the parents mistakes or father‘s neglect!
How can this happen? Where is there a judge who can rectify that leaving cookies or candy in the bottom of her coat pockets suggest the mother is unfit? Or a blue tongue from breakfast yogurt implying non-nutritive foods, such as cotton candy? (Are you saying ‘huh’ yet?) That just because she is not in communion with the father and questions his peculiar allotments to see their daughter, it indicates deteriorating mental health on her point? There are more things, but I’m too embarrassed to list them and not vindictive enough to carry on.
Who IS out there who is willing to expose the scenario that epidemically places children in a sick environment while their innocence is being pilfered? Anyone locally? Internationally? Okay, okay- Dr. Phil? Oprah? Are you there, friend? Can you sleep knowing this? Say no, and comment. Please and thank you.
