Added incentive to enter the Queens' Tea Raffle -- For the Ladies in Pageants

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Date Posted: 10:12:55 09/12/05 Mon
Author: Shea Hackney
Subject: Added incentive to enter the Queens' Tea Raffle

I met the first to arrive yesterday. She was brought to my house this morning for a very brief introduction. Her name is Camille. She was so cute and so sweet. She is only 11 and use to live in NOLA. She is VERY quiet, but I was told her family chose not to leave before the storm, so she had actually been present when, as she put it, her world "ended". She was the only one to survive in her family.

I had to try so hard not to cry when I hugged her little shoulders. I asked if we could take a picture together, but Camille didn't want to and hid behind Mr. Laramore a little when I mentioned it. I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable, so I let it go. Later, perhaps, when others are with her, she will feel a little more open.

She had on a pair a jeans, a little small, some old tennies, and a hooded sweatshirt. Her hair was nicely pulled up into a ponytail and tied with a black ribbon. She said an old lady gave her the ribbon when she was in the "waiting center" waiting to find out where they were going to send her. She said the old woman talked about her daughter a lot and how she use to tie bows in her hair when she was little. I asked if she got to meet the daughter, but she said no and looked to the floor. Mr. Laramore whispered that the daughter hadn't made it through the storm. The woman comes to the shelter everyday and just sits and waits, occasionally telling lovely stories to the children who are also waiting. He said she comes in still believing everyday that her daughter is just lost. He said she causes no harm and some of the children, like Camille, seemed to be drawn to her. At this point in time, he believes anything that will help the children passing through to smile or stop crying is a blessing.

They only stayed about 20 minutes. Camille will start school Tuesday. She will be attending school with my youngest daughter Caitlyn. I made sure they met and asked Caitlyn's advisory teacher to allow her to meet Camille in the office when she arrived on her first day. I am hoping that will help. Of course, chatty Caitlyn, was more than happy to help out too. :)

The whole experience took only a few minutes, but the moment still seems to be with me. I have never witnessed such pain or sorrow in a child's eyes before. I just wanted to take this beautiful little girl in my arms and tell her everything would be all right, but even I have to question how much more difficult this child's life will become before she ever reaches "all right" again.

It is with a very heavy heart that I have become determined to raise as much money as possible for these children. So that being said:

I will give anyone who enters the Queens' Tea Raffle with a donation of $50 or more a FREE ENTRY in the True Beauty Diamond Jewel Winter Pageant. For those who are familiar with my pageant, you know it usually costs $65.00. Just $50 donate to the Queens Tea Raffle will get you a FREE ENTRY + 25 entries into the raffle and a chance to win a BEAUTIFUL REAL DIAMOND RING!!!

I have always been taught that true ladies never beg. I have always attempted to conduct myself in a manner that befits a True Lady, but after meeting this wondrous young girl, I believe I would do anything I could for her. If begging is the only way, then so be it.

Thank you to those who have already entered. Although the numbers are few, the gratitude is great! :) Please be blessed in all you do.
Have a wonderful day,

Shea
Queens' Tea Raffle
http://www.geocities.com/darlinshea/queenstearaffle.html

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