WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A WELCOME SURPRISE!
Our little friend, Julia, came to visit her birth mom over the weekend. This is the first visit to Texas since she and her family moved to Tulsa.
I didn't even know she was in town, until late Sunday afternoon, when I received an e-mail from Stacy saying that she and Dak were trying to contact a lawyer because Julia's mother had decided not to return her to Tulsa.
She (birth mom) was contesting a phrase in the divorce decree regarding her visitation. Even though they felt she was interpreting it wrong, no one could be absolutely certain. Since her visitation ended at 6 PM, they needed to be here to pick her up. There was no way to make their 4 hour trip in just one hour and Stacy is about ready to deliver her baby any day. Julia also needed to be at school the next morning, so this was turning into quite the difficult scenario, with Dak looking at 8 hours on the road Sunday night.
I got on the phone with Stacy.
I offered to pick up Julia and meet Dak somewhere along the highway between here and Tulsa. We talked through the legalities of the situation and made sure it was fine. She reassured me that it is stated in their paperwork that a competent adult may be appointed to pick up Julia at the end of visitation. She also let me know that she thought of me as a competent adult... (and my parents wondered if I would ever amount to anything...hee, hee.)
At 6 PM, I had found the apartment where Julia was staying with her birth mom, knocked, and waited, and waited...
and waited. (In the 93 degree heat and humidity).
I could hear them in the apartment, so I waited patiently.
Julia's mom was less than pleased that I was there, more than angry reluctant to allow her go with me and the entire situation was much more out of control than needed to be.
I stood firm.
Calm.
Patient.
I let her rant.
I listened.
I told her how much I love Julia; that I was only there to be of help to everyone, mainly Julia, wanting her to be returned to her home in Tulsa in as timely a manner as was possible.
Finally, Julia was turned over to me.
Relief.
Then I got to bring her home and surprise my kids with their sweet little friend.
I fed her a little, took a couple of quick photos of she and Megan, packed her some snacks for the road; then Jonathan, Julia and I drove off in the sunset for the TX border.
It was a sweet little road trip for Jonathan and me with Julia along. A nice Sunday drive. And even though our visit came about by way of a dispute, I am really happy that we got to spend some time with Julia.
What a pretty little red headed girl.... hMMM, why was I never blessed with just ONE red head??? I am impressed with your mediator capabilities and also consider you a "competent adult", I probably would have gotten pretty flustered in such a situation. I love you Mar, wish I could come visit you on a Sunday evening one of these days!
Mel
Posted by: Melanie EIckbush | October 09, 2007 at 05:10 PM
Thanks Julia!
It was a fun road trip!
Glad you are back in Tulsa, but we miss you!
Jonathan
Posted by: Jonathan | October 09, 2007 at 07:42 PM
Your welcome, thanks for picking me up, and taking me halfway home. I miss you guys. See you when Bryan is born. That apple cake was great. Thanks Megan for taking picturs with me.
Posted by: Stacy | October 11, 2007 at 06:24 PM
Marilyn, the previous comment is from Julia Gulia. My default info was in there when she hit post. Just thought you should know!!!
Posted by: Stacy | October 11, 2007 at 06:24 PM
Well, obviously I don't have works of thanks enough for what Marilyn and Jonathan did for us on such short notice. I really appreciated your efforts, I'm sorry for the strife, and I'm so glad for your mediator abilities as well (Lord knows that I ran out of patience with that woman LONG LONG ago). It's hard to deal with someone who cannot understand what reason is. Thank you for rescuing Julia and returning her home. Just for the record, Julia's mother has been LEGALLY notified that her interpretation of the divorce decree is incorrect in many ways...
So, unless she pulls another rabbit out of her hat...
Whewww! I'm still jealous that my husband and Julia got to see you all, and I didn't!!!!!!!!!!!
THANKS AGAIN. WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Stacy & Dak | October 11, 2007 at 06:37 PM
Julia,
It was fun to see you, I hope I can see you again.
Love,
Megan
Posted by: Megan | October 14, 2007 at 08:26 AM