Recently, Black Hills Children’s Home Residential Therapist Rachel Walton received an email from a former client. It’s the kind of thing that makes the struggles, difficulties and long hours totally worth it. Check out the correspondence!

From: Kolby
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2021 4:42 PM
To: Rachel Walton <rachel.walton@chssd.org>
Subject: Welcome 
  Hi how are you, This is Kolby—a patient you helped a couple of years as if you forgot—how can you? So all I have been doing is I went to one last big treatment and that one was the trick. I wanted to tell you Thank You for the help with figuring the stuff out with the mom issues. I am now in touch with her. We are talking and communicating. I am living in Gillette, WY now. It is great fun. I am in High School. It's homecoming. We also have chickens, ducks, geese, and rabbits. 

~kolby

On Thu, Sep 16, 2021 at 8:32 PM Rachel Walton <rachel.walton@chssd.org> wrote:

Kolby, Kolby, Kolby (smh) 😊

As if I could or would ever forget you! I was just talking about you one or two weeks ago with Candi. We were remembering how well you argued, about almost everything, to try to hide the kind and caring heart you were too afraid to show. We were wondering how you were doing…It truly means a lot to hear “thank you” and to know how you are doing. 

 I’m glad that the last big treatment did the trick and life is better for you now. As a therapist, I know that means you have worked through the really tough issues. I’m extremely happy for you and very, very proud of you! It’s hard work to work on yourself but you did it!! After all, you deserve to be loved; you deserve to be cared for; and you deserve a safe home! Sorry, couldn’t help myself…had to get that in there!

I’m happy to hear that you and your mom are talking and communicating. Do you still live with your grandparents? When did you move to Gillette? Are you still an outdoorsman (hunting/fishing)? Why on Earth would anyone want geese? They’re mean! What grade are you in? Are you in any sports or school activities? For what it’s worth, I always thought you would be great on a debate team! Homecoming was always fun when I was in school. Is there a dance? If so, are you going or did you go?  

In all seriousness, it is absolutely wonderful to hear from you, Kolby, and I hope you’ll keep me updated on how you’re doing.  

~ Rachel Walton  

From: Kolby
Sent: Friday, September 17, 2021 10:08 AM
To: Rachel Walton <rachel.walton@chssd.org>
Subject: Re: Welcome  

Hi. Thanks for replying. It put a big smile on my face even though one of my friends calls me Mr. Smiley any way. I am still living with my grandparents and in Gillette, WY. It is fun like I said. I do want to play sports but I think I have to wait till next year and then that is when I will start to play.

I am doing thairpii (therapy) 1 time every 2 weeks if that makes sense. And I have a job. I don't know if I told you that? I work at a machining and welding shop and get paid. Does your sister still work there? I am a Freshmen (9th grade). Our homecoming is in two weeks. I already asked somebody out and she said she needs to think about it and we are working on our relationship. We are doing good so far…Hopefully my grandma lets me go to the dance well. How is everybody doing at ccsd (CHS) that knew me when I was there!