Mother of the Night

"I am here for a reason.  I wasn't blessed with children of my own, and now I know why.  All these children are my babies. I love them like my own"

      The other day while waiting to interview a resident of Catherine's House, I was fortunate enough to get a quick and impromptu interview with Lynn, the Night Shift Manager. (For more information on Catherine's House, click here)

      After working there for years, Catherine's House has become a home away from home for Lynn.  She had a ton of stories that pulled at my heart strings as I sat and listened to her.  Her heart is in Catherine's House, but more importantly, in the women and children who live there.

      From 5pm-8am, Lynn stays in the house and attends to any needs or problems that may arise.  If something comes up, she is there, ready to help.  She is good to them and loves them unconditionally.  Just by her voice alone, I could feel the love that Lynn has for every single person that walks through that door.

"Sometimes it is hard though. I do a lot of praying and asking God's will for their lives.  Sometimes I cannot do enough for them.  Sometimes I get tired. But I don't mind," reflected Lynn.

      Lynn has established something precious in the house: mutual respect and love among herself and the residents. She believes in honesty and doesn't put up with drama or fighting. She is straightforward with the women and let's them know that she will love them and help them, as long as they respect her too.  Because of her compassionate and honest way of running the house at night, Lynn has gained the trust of the women.  She encourages them to talk to her first if there is a problem, and the issue doesn't expand past her door.

"Most of the time, when they ask me to take care of a problem, I take care of it so they don't even realize it's been taken care of."

      It is important for her to establish this kind of relationship with the women, but the children are her number one priority. The children capture her heart and she doesn't want them affected by any bad situation.  She wants Catherine's House to be a good memory, and she works hard to make sure of that. The children also know where Lynn stands.  She tells them straightforward that she wants honesty and respect and she will give them the same. 

"All children are innocent. There was one little boy who moved in with his mom and on their first night here, I went in to check on them. The boy looks at me and asks, 'Who is in charge here?' and I looked at him and said, 'God is'.  Do you want to know what he said? 'Figures. He's in charge of everything'" said Lynn.  She has a picture of that boy sitting above her desk with his quote written out next to it.

      But interacting with them so much is also challenging.  She said the hardest part about her job is when they leave.  There was one little baby girl in the house whom Lynn gave a doll to. The baby slept with the doll every single night.  On days when there was a lot of problems in the house or the tension was high, Lynn would hold the baby and she would immediately feel peace. All the drama of the day didn't seem important any more and the baby was always able to bring a smile. When the mother and baby girl left, Lynn held her tight before saying goodbye, and felt like she giving up her own child.

"I try and make sure the ladies in the house don't see me get emotion. I do that on my time. But that night, after they walked out the door, the house saw me feel for the first time."

      Just two weeks ago, the mother brought the little girl by to see Lynn.  As soon as they entered the house, the now one year old girl ran to Lynn in recognition and smiles. That in and of itself was a bigger blessing than Lynn could have asked for.  The fact that the little girl still remembered her was just another of many reminders why she was called to work at Catherine's House. But it is still hard, she said. She never wants to feel as if she is giving up a child again, but they are so precious, that sometimes it cannot be helped.

"I do what I can for the women and children here. I want to see them succeed. I want to see them do well. I one can make, I am blessed. If just one makes it, it is a gift from God"

      Check in soon for my first interview with one of the resident's of Catherine's House and remember to keep these women, children, and Lynn in your prayers!

                                                                            God Bless,
                                                                                     Megan