Of course around Father’s Day my mind drifts towards thoughts of my dad. He moved into his heavenly mansion on May 18, 2014. After a short, but long, five month battle with cancer, the horrid disease took his life. At this time I had already been pondering volunteer work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. This life altering tragedy just spurred me on.
As I navigated my own grief as well as the grief of my mother, I realized that I needed to focus on the needs of someone else besides my own. I took the step — I called 406-259-1233 and signed up to attend an informative session on becoming a CASA. In May of 2015, I was sworn in and began advocating for the abused and neglected children in our county.
The act of giving back helped me heal from the tragedy that I had experienced. Giving myself away and helping others was a healing power for me. I trust that just these few thoughts may encourage one person that may be experiencing pain, sadness, grief, or self-pity to consider volunteering your time. Even when you think you have nothing left to offer, there is always someone worse off than you. Find them. Help them. There is a paycheck at the end.
Now, seven years later, I see the loss of the kindest, gentlest, most perfect father as a huge stepping stone in my life. His loss was devastating but something that made me stronger. It took a while, but I see it now.
On my best days, I am my father’s daughter.
If you would like to find out more about how you can become a volunteer advocate for a child who has been abused or neglected, please call the CASA office at (406)259-1233 or email emily@yellowstonecasa.org
