Sphere of Influence

Last night my man was at work when a young couple with a little girl came in sometime near closing at 9:00. They sat at the bar.......

"They sat at the bar" could be the start of a good joke but this is no joke at all. The man ordered a double brandy and the woman, a vodka. I don't think he said what the little girl got. The man was LOUD and for my man, who is loud, to say someone is loud means they were probably obnoxiously loud. They finished their drinks and the gent ordered another. The woman loudly said, "NO", but he got his 2nd when she decided she needed her second. A bit later she ordered shots and the little girl sat. 

Eventually, the couple was asked to leave, at which point they asked the Boy Scout where the nearest bar was. They were off to drink some more; little girl in tow.

My only hope is that there is someone in this little girl's life that is loving and caring. Studies clearly show that children who survive and do OK in the face of dysfunction, addiction and abuse in their upbringing almost always have a person of deep influence that tells them they have value and encourages them that there is another way to live that does not resemble their household.

I hope to heaven she does.

ps With my whole heart, I believe in the caring of a fantastic teacher, the unconditional love of a grandparent, the nurturing from a neighbor and the ability to have a positive influence on a neglected child's life.