This past Thursday, my sister-in-law, who is 15 years old, ran away from home. Her and her brother were adopted nearly five years ago and they have both done a lot of growing. She has had a few road blocks but has always had the support of her family, counsilors and many other people. She grew up having to take care of herself and younger brother, and I understand not wanting to let that kind of power go.
I was thirteen when I had my first job because my mom couldn't pay the bills. I love her dearly, but there were things that needed done and I had to grow up quick. My sister-in-law started at a younger age, making meals and taking care of her younger brother. When she was adopted, she no longer had to take on the responsibility of being a mother and she was allowed to lay aside her "grown-up" burdens for a time. This is a tough thing to ask of a ten or eleven year old. She's gotten in a bit of trouble since then but her support never wavered.
Thursday, she wanted to sleep in the camper outside of her mothers home. It's a nice little camper but the electricity wasn't hooked up and so her mom said no, not right now. She got upset, unable to understand that "not right now" doesn't mean never. She also doesn't like being told "no". No one does. The next day, she went to her appointments with her mom and then ran away from the appointment. A couple people tried to run after her, but she was gone.
The police had been looking for her. Friday, my husband and I got a phone call saying that they found her. We assumed that she had been picked up and everything was okay. That was my first mistake. She ran from them, cutting through yards and what not. She is a smart young lady.
Yesterday, my husband and I went to his mothers house. I created some "Missing" posters, found her new social media account and learned that she was safe, just stupid. She was hiding in plain sight! My mother-in-law and I went to businesses and asked them to hang up posters. A couple said that they couldn't most at least put the poster in the break rooms. To all of those who did help us by putting up posters, Thank you! One Subway said that they had seen her around and that they would call the number at the bottom of the poster if they saw her again. Then, McDonalds, I walked up to the counter, handed over the poster and delivered my: "Would you please help me by hanging up this poster, my little sister ran away from home a few days ago and we are still trying to find her." speech for the twentieth time (no joke).
The man who took the poster studied the picture and then excitedly began to inform me that he had seen her earlier that day and the night before. Apparently she had been eating McDonalds twice a day, from the same place. He said she was with two girls but described her as if she was standing right there, wearing different clothes than what she was wearing in the picture. I informed him that she was off her medicine which she needed and was digging herself a deeper hole. She needed to come home. He said that he would put the poster up in the break room and they would call when she came in again. This was around 6:30 or 7pm.
We went around to other places. I was at wits end reciting my speech another ten times, trying to convince others to help in my quest for finding this girl. One lady, I will never forget her. She looked like she was going to cry with me, or for me, and gave me the biggest hug she could. She said she would hang up the poster and pray for her safe return and for the family. Even if I wasn't the praying kind, I am so happy that she was unafraid to say that she would because I felt so much better. She was like an angel, sent to give me a hug and let me know everything would be okay. After I left the building, I felt this overwhelming sense of peace. I knew everything would be okay.
Around 9:30 pm, last night, my mother-in-law recieved a call from one of the local officers. They said that they recieved a call from a McDonalds and were able to pick up my sister-in-law. She did try to run but she didn't appear to be harmed in any way.
She is safe. Today, we have her hearing and I know that she will probably sent away for a bit but she will be safe. Then she can come home and we can work on mending trust.
I cannot say how much I appreciate everyone who helped by putting up posters, calling the number at the bottom and keeping us all in their thoughts. Even total strangers who aren't afraid to pray for you and hug you.
My Mimi would call that woman a "God Wink". Little things that let you know God is there. A light in the storm.
Thank you!
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