Whatdoyado
Whatdoyado when they say “I’m your favorite aren’t I?”
Whatdoyado when they sit on your lap, lean into you and fall asleep?
Whatdoyado when they cry “No, No, No, No” when they wake up?
Whatdoyado when they say “I know I can’t live with you, but, could you just take my little brother?”
Whatdoyado when they try to leave a side door unlocked so they can sneak back and have a place to sleep that night?
Whatdoyado when they say “That guy bothering you, don’t worry, I’ll take care of him”?
Whatdoyado when they yell “Shotgun I wanna be last, can I just ride around with you?”
Whatdoyado when a large black man, built like a refrigerator, stands behind you, puts a hand on each side of your head and tilts it just so, saying “Look at that, a full moon”?
Whatdoyado when they call from prison saying “I really really miss you”?
Whatdoyado when they come back after years of being away and they say “Remember me”?
Whatdoyado when their house is raided and they stand on the street and weep. And there’s only you, just you to try to fix it?
Whatdoyado when they say “This is the most wonderfullest place ever”?
Whatdoyado when they come in with no socks, or no coat, or wrapped in a blanket, and they say “Nah, I’m not cold”?
Whatdoyado when they turn 16 and you have a cake and candles but it’s not right until you put their name on the cake?
Whatdoyado when the church is closing and you don’t know what to do anymore? And they say “See you tomorrow. Love you”?
You give them food, and diapers and laundry detergent, and clothes and books and all your love. And it’s never enough. They just keep coming and coming.
I’ll tell you what you do, you get up in the morning , you get dressed, you walk the dog, you just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
One day at a time, baby, one more day at a time.

QUEST is a community-based organization that provides a safe environment, free meals, counseling, art and recreation programs that keep Hamilton Hill children in school, out of trouble and on track for better lives. For more information on QUEST, visit www.questkids.net.