Abandonment… I had and still have the fear of abandonment. Yes, I have had therapy. After having three different therapists reach the point where I was helping them more than they were helping me… I moved on.

From an early age, home was a comforting place. Each night, mom and I would pray, “Now I lay me down to sleep…” When I had a cold, mom would rub Vick’s on my chest, cover it with a cloth and I would go to sleep. Ranch life was a hard life for mom… children to raise, hired help to be fed three hearty meals a day. After work was done, she would go to bed, pray the rosary, and go to sleep. For me, even a short period of time separated from her would have been traumatic.

I feel deep sorrow for the migrant children and young people who are being forced to be abandoned by their parents. They have been forced to miss out on the caring moments, the hugs, the good night kisses and eating together.

Those of you who had or have children know the feeling you get when your child puts their arms around your neck and shoulders. You also know the anxiety when they think they have lost you. You also know the joy of being called mom or dad. I remember a Father’s Day barbeque at Dominican Oaks when Ethan was six. With great pride he told all who would listen, “I have a dad.”

The migrant children don’t know why they have been “abandoned” by mom and dad. What they do know is that they are missing out on family meals, snuggling on the couch and a good night kiss. Most of all they have lost their sense of security… being comfortable and safe.

I believe the pictures to be true… the children have been forced to live in unsanitary and inhumane conditions. They are denied the basic necessities of life: diapers, clean clothes, toothpaste. Packed together, sleeping on the floor and being denied showers have become the daily routine. They are losing their childhood.

Finally, help may be on the way. The story has been told through pictures. Folks with good hearts are speaking out. They are saying that we can do better. I will do better.

“BE A GOOD HUMAN BEING, A WARM HEARTED, AFFECTIONATE PERSON.

THAT IS MY FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF”

                                                                                                Dalai Lama

John Wasserburger

PO Box 14

Capitola, CA 95010

831-476-1874