MONA
JEANSONNE AND PATTY TERREBONNE
“Reunion
after long separation is even better than one's wedding night.”
Chinese proverb
MONA AND PATTY
Mona
and Patty are sisters that were recently re-united after 40 years.
Orphaned, they were sent to the Masonic Children's home. The girls
were 2 and 5 at the time. Patty was adopted immediately but lived a
terrible existence with her abusive adopted parents. Mona stayed at
the Home and lost track of her sister.
After
high school Mona went off to college. Patty married to escape her
abusive situation.
Mona:
“ My sister was adopted and I was not told the details. I was all
alone. I needed my sister. My escape was in books. I studied hard
and made the honor roll. I went to college and received a degree in
sociology. After several years working the system, I worried about
the hundreds of children falling through the cracks of government red
tape. I was burned out. So I quit my job and moved to Alabama where
I became involved with Dr. King's vision. I went on some of the
marches with him but I felt, at that time, that it was the wrong path
to take. I was so wrong. Instead, I focused my energies on the
Salvation Army, eventually joining them. Ultimately I was
transferred to Alexandria, La. My hometown. I wanted to find my
sister.”
Patty:
“Well, I wasn't married long. That scum started beating me up. He
was in the military and went to Vietnam. I heard he was killed
shortly after deployment and I was left a widow with no job skills,
education or family. I tried to get benefits but I learned he had
never listed me as his wife. I had no idea how to prove to them that
I was. There were no records. He had even destroyed our marriage
certificate. I didn't know what to do. Depressed, I bounced around
for years, becoming a prostitute to survive, which led me to alcohol
and drugs. I have been homeless most of my life. I don't know why I
hopped a train and returned to Alexandria but I did. I went to the
Salvation Army and that is where I met Mona. She said I was her
sister. I couldn't believe it. I never knew I had one. She has been
so good to me and has taken me in and helped me get the help I
needed. Thank you Lord. There is a God.”
© Nippy Blair 2015. Posts and pictures on this blog cannot be copied, downloaded, printed, or used without the permission of the blog owner, Nippy Blair.
