She Planned To Save Them All

I will save them all I will take them out of this hovel. I will rescue children one at a time. They are babies, after all. Helpless before I arrived. It is her first day as a social worker. She is proud, of her degree, and her badge. Makes her first home visit. Calls her supervisor, concerned. Supervisor seems bored, uninterested. Next call to the police. A young policeman arrives. Walks through the filthy apartment Where the young mother is living with a newborn and a crying toddler. “You are doing the best you can,” he tells the woman. “Thank you for letting us in.” He asks if she needs anything. She is grateful for his attitude and concern. Freshly out-of-school social worker is incredulous. This is not how it was supposed to go. She was going to save them. She feels defeated. “It is a rat’s nest!” she argues as she gets out to the police car. “We cannot leave them here!” “If you can do something to help the mother, please do,” he replies. “She is overwhelmed, and can use a little kindness. She loves her children.” Teaching her gently that her job is not as black and white As she had been taught in classes by those who have never been social workers.