The One Thing Missing

Over the last month a few of us at Eddie's Road have been meeting with representatives of a couple of organizations in the Atlanta area that provide services to abused and neglected children.

Today we had the honor of visiting Murphy-Harpst , a residential treatment center for severely abused children, most of whom are wards of the state. Murphy-Harpst has a rich history of helping children who literally have nowhere else to go. These kids have been bounced through multiple foster homes and have little to no family support.

A few weeks ago we toured SafePath, a children's advocacy center in Cobb County, Georgia that provides a safe environment for children who have just been removed from their homes due to alleged abuse or neglect. In most cases these children go straight from SafePath into foster care.

Both places are impressive. They are run professionally by caring people who specialize in dealing with victims of abuse.

The campus of Murphy-Harpst is almost pastoral and at first glance could be mistaken for a very small college campus. All of the buildings were built in the 1920's - the administration building, cafeteria, a church with a gym in the basement, residence buildings. There is a pool and a baseball field. There is even a stable with horses for the equestrian therapy program.

As we went on our tour I was impressed with all of the services that are provided for the care of these children. Classrooms, library, bicycles, medical facility, work out room, game room. All of their basic needs are met.

But something was missing and for the rest of the afternoon I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

Suddenly, it occurred to me.

Love.

I have no doubt that the remarkable individuals who devote their lives to caring for these children are emotionally invested.

But how does it feel to not have the love of your mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings? How does it feel to be betrayed by the very ones who are supposed to care for you? Protect you? Provide for you? Love you?

It is unimaginable to me. And it makes me angry and frustrated.

I can raise thousands, hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars. But I will never be able to provide these kids with the one thing they need the most.

Love.