I wake to find the Cowboy sitting at the keyboard, once again.
“I did my first tweet,” he laughs. “I tweeted.”
We are both back at the computer, me to check on a few things, look for story ideas and share some thoughts here before I hopefully squeeze in a run before work today.
Him, to continue gathering information and thoughts before his trip back home and to Pierre this Thursday morning.
The Cowboy has been at the computer a lot lately.
In fact, he told me yesterday, he hasn’t worked this much on the computer since college.
If you haven’t read a couple of my earlier posts that would explain what any of this is about.. It’s all in preparation of testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week.
The Cowboy plans to testify along with some others, about why he feels the South Dakota state legislature should support a law allowing both parents in a divorce to have time and placement with their children. There are two options. One would be a step above current law. The other (below) would be a tremendous step forward.
http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2012/Bills/SB60P.pdf
Current statute in South Dakota dictates it is in the best interest of a child to live almost exclusively with one parent.
And it has torn countless families apart, we’re learning. The Cowboy has been taking an increasing number of calls from other parents who want to help raise their kids, but who, through divorce have been deliberately alienated from their children.
The Cowboy, by the way, has tried calling his kids everyday – once a day since seeing them last. He gets a few hours after school with them each Wednesday. Just one phone call has been allowed. That was on Thursday this past week. He hasn’t been allowed to speak to his children since.
We’re just never sure why that is. Especially when the kids ask him to call more often.
It’s sad he is left in this scenario with two choices; tell them he does call but for some reason their mother doesn’t answer .. or tell them they’re right, he should call more often leaving them to believe their dad doesn’t care or want to be more a part of their lives. No one wins here. Including the kids.
Which is why .. the Cowboy sits at the computer again today. Making sure he’s maximizing awareness these two shared parenting bills are coming up for debate.
Given the lack of publicity, the Cowboy felt a bit defeated this weekend, that no one really cares.
I remind him, it’s enough that he does. Because there are many, many others out there who like him, aren’t sure what to do about their own devastating situation. Someone needs to be their voice.
Tweet, testimony, or otherwise. I’m pretty sure he feels good to be doing ‘something’ to work toward positive change. If not in his own situation, hopefully for others.
What I do know for certain, is that he’s looking forward to the day twitter is no longer in his vocabulary, he can get back shoeing horses (winter fortunately is a slow time of year for work) and the work he enjoys most.
That is being a dad.
Serving up breakfast
Conversations With a Cowboy 