Detroit

My Dear Girls,

Right now I live in downtown Detroit.  Within a week of moving here the city won me over.  There are beautiful people here that are struggling so hard.  Detroit has more heart than anywhere I've ever lived and regularly brings me to tears.

I see kids here all the time and they know things and go through things and know things that no kids should.  They know drugs and gangs and crime and prison not from seeing them on TV but through their young lives.  They realize their limitations too young and stop believing that they can do anything they set their minds too.

The irony is that they are so strong and capable.  They have had to fight so hard just to survive and beat the odds.  If they could just keep going and stay away from the drugs and the gangs, they probably could do whatever they want.

I see things and overhear things that I wish I hadn't.  And every time I think of you guys.  I hope that none of you had to experience any of those hardships in your young lives before you came to me.  I know that you will have hurt and pain and I pray that together we can overcome.

I don't want to start our family here because things just aren't safe and opportunities aren't the same as they are at home.  However, I want you to know that there are places like this in the world.  People who have less than you and go through more than you.  As a family we will help others and do what we can to take away some of their pain.

Be thankful for what you have and the love surrounds you.  But don't forget the people, especially the children, who are left behind. 

Love,
Mom