"Life. Now there's something that changes all the time." She pointed out. "Man, who thinks he is in control of all he surveys, like my father, is actually in control of very little. All things, large and small change, some for the better, some for the worse. but the hand of change is never still."
"That I have tried to become a better person does not mean I have succeeded. There is still a good deal of rage pent up towards my mother and father, her for leaving, he for continuing on in his struggle to control. My brothers for abandoning me, except for Case, and he can lend little support because he suspected of almost everything in the territory, and please, do not think that I would defend his outlawry, because I won't."
"So far, it seems to me that you've done a fine job of using that anger to become a better person, so don't let it tear you down." All right, Jonah wasn't much of a philosopher, but he could see that part of what drove Leah was her family...her rage at them, her need to separate from them...
"Just...don't let them drag you down...you've started to make a name for yourself, a good one, but make sure that hate doesn't overwhelm you."
She was strong, she could step out and do well on her own, and he was certain she could take her family on, if they chose to give her trouble.
"Oh Jonah, doing the things that I have set out to do is in part because of the rage, if that is even accurate, but more because of need. Need in the community. Need for the orphans in the east, that they might have a chance at a better life out here, with people who would care for them, and nurture them along."
"Saying that, we must be ever vigilant of the people who take these children in, as well as the people who are hired to care for them in the orphanage. I do not want them abused as cheap labor, or anything else. Not the easiest of tasks to be sure, but one that must be seen too."
"Yes, yes, of course we'll make sure that only the best people are running the orphanage, and that the families that take the children want them as children."
Leah had a good point, that often, orphans were seen as labor and little more, and while they might be treated well, there wasn't the acceptance and love that an adopted child should have.
"And that siblings stay together," he added quietly, then he shook his head and chuckled. "With you overseeing the details, I'm certain everything will only be for the best interest of the children. It will be good to know that they are properly cared for."
"Well, it won't be like we'll be checking up on them once the process is complete. But perhaps there is a way, what if we considered a period of adjustment. A block of time where the child goes to stay with the perspective parents. Something like a month, maybe." She proposed. "Then the child, or children, are brought back, per a legal, signed agreement, for an interview to see how they are getting along, and a physical examination."
"And an interview with the parents as well to see what their point of view was." She was having second thought about this course of action, yet it seemed fair to ensure that the match was a good one for both. She wanted the best for those children she took in, then sent out for a new life.
Maybe her ideas were all wrong, maybe she was missing something.
"That's a good idea, to follow up and make sure the adoptions are working out." It made sense that not every match would be perfect, so that giving the people involved a way out was better than letting a bad situation get worse. "Let them know it's all right if it isn't working out."
Goodness, first the hospital, and now trying to organize an orphanage...
"The orphanage should be just outside town a bit, not so far as to be a long walk to school, but enough that the children can play without bothering anyone, and have room." Was there land for that? And plans for a building?
First things first, right?
"Yes, first thing have to come first. The hospital has to be up and running before we build the orphanage, and before you ask, I'm looking at two acres up past the school maybe a quarter mile." She informed him. She knew that Jonah was not as involved with the idea as she, and that was alright. That he was supportive and willing to give it a go was enough.
"Allowing prospective parent to know that if the match did not work out that there was a way out, one with no shame. Also, they could try again if they wanted, unless it was clear that the child had been abused in any way. "And, listening to the child and what they have to say about the situation they are in. But, before any of that can happen, we have our hospital open to serve the community and the county."
"Wait, that's it, Kalispell Community Hospital! We may never become a recognized county, and statehood could be a long ways off. I never understood a Territory having counties, but then, I'm, no politician either. Yes, Kalispell Community Hospital."
"Kalispell Community Hospital? That's perfect! Has the name of the location, and the fact that it's community, not necessarily county, city, state, whatnot." It summed up what they wanted it to, and didn't leave much room for controversy.
"As for counties, I guess that goes back to England and parishes, the tradition of boundaries and divisions, creating regional divisions, customs..." He shrugged. "I suppose the United States would be difficult to govern without states, and," he grinned, "eventually we'd run out of names for towns...after all, when you think of all the Washingtons, Springfields, Fairviews...and the way to distinguish them is by state..."
It was a silly thing to be rambling on, but now that he'd started...
"And if you were to say, 'I'm going to Spencer', no one would know where that was, but saying 'North Carolina' at least gives a..."
He rolled his eyes and chuckled. "No one cares!"
She laughed, "Oh Jonah, of course they do. People care where they are from, where they are going, and sometimes, where they have been. So we're not yet a part of the Union, though many her fought for the Union, our time will come, we will be recognized, I'm sure of that."
"I know that they are working hard for inclusion into the United States as we speak. When that will happen I couldn't say, but it will." She promised. "Now about our hospital and the name, I think it is perfect, I'm sure they will want a plaque made to affix to building, but that would mean the inclusion of my name and I am against that part of it. The plaque would be fine to commemorate the buildings date of completion, the medical staff and such. I hesitate to see a board of directors on it, since almost all of those who might be included were against it, but I'll leave that to those who must take credit for something they had no part in."
"Off the soap box girl, we've a long way to go before anything like that is ever discussed, at least publicly." She concluded.
"I wholeheartedly agree, I don't want my name attached to anything." Jonah rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Why does it have to have anything besides the name of the hospital, just leave it at that?" He grinned. "And if you are worried about the board whining...er...complaining, you can just say it was a mistake, an oversight."
Why people had to have their names embossed on everything made no sense to him, especially since they had fought against the project every step of the way.
"As you said, that's a long way off. Maybe you can propose a second plaque with names, paid for by the city?" That would cause a row!