Today's the day. Found out yesterday the parents are more aware of the current events than I thought. State is filing a petition and presenting it in court today. The case is really solid at this point, and honestly I think the opposing attorney's would be hard-pressed to find any positives to bring to light. All major issues of the case are strained or non-compliant. Add in legal issues that have arisen in the last few months and are still unresolved, and the reasons they happened, and I can't imagine any judge/referee denying the petition. They are also recommending a suspension of visitation, which I understand to be not the norm around here. I guess parents do have a right to visitation while awaiting trial (which around here they make all efforts to schedule within a month of the petition being accepted), unless there are safety issues. There are two factors which lead to the belief that the visits will not be in the best interest of the child, so they are going to go for the gusto. I am afraid that won't be accepted, but I'm hoping that since the visits are *still* supervised, they will be able to bring them back into the agency to be supervised by the agency workers. Maybe today will be a good day and the whole recommendation will be adopted. I'm still finding it all so hard to believe; I guess I just starting feeling that we would be doing this forever and nothing would even be "enough." Apparently that's not the case!
We are blessed enough that today is perm planning, unexpectedly. We already went before perm plan this past summer, and I think the parents thought they were home-free. Unexpectedly last hearing, we had a fill-in (and more veteran) referee who drew to light the 15/22 months perm planning that's required, even though we already had one. If it wasn't for that loop hole, this would be a regular review hearing and the state wouldn't *have* to make a more permanent decision.
Blessings and small glimpses of divine intervention. If only I could settle my nerves, head-ache, and stomach. No matter how right this path is, it's very tough emotionally. Close your eyes and picture your oldest friend, the one you've known the longest in your life. Imagine they've done something very wrong, and not only do you have to watch the officials crucify them, but you have to hold the nails in while they swing the hammer. I feel like I am betraying her by not standing beside her, though I know how illogical that is. I just can't imagine what she must feel about me; I've *sided* with the state after all.
From here on out, things will be much different. And I have to keep this baby at a safe distance (a whole different battle to try and figure out - what do I do from here for open/closed status??).
and best wishes for tiny steps leading to resolution!!
