According to the Clinical Child and Family Psychological Review, “grandfamilies is the term coined as a result of the opioid epidemic. It describes the current societal issue of a whole new generation of grandchildren being raised by their grandparents.”

“Grandma, grandma”, the little girl cried with tear filled eyes. “Where’s my mommy and daddy?”

Looking down at this beautiful child, the old women’s heart broke. She was so sweet and innocent and didn’t deserve any of this. Her daughter had OD’d again and this time they almost didn’t bring her back.

A Walmart employee had found them in their car passed out when she got off work. As the woman walked to her car, she thought she heard a child crying. She tentatively walked up to the car, and saw the couple was passed out. Not again, she thought as she pulled her phone out. How many did that make now? It was then that she saw the child in the backseat.

“Can you help my mommy and daddy? I can’t get them to wake up.” The little girl looked so tiny and scared in the backseat.

“I didn’t know what to do? Mommy told me I had to stay in the car, or I’d get in trouble,” the little girl sobbed. “And I couldn’t find mommy’s phone anywhere.”

The women finished the 911 call and held her hand out, “It’s okay, I’m here now. Help is already on it’s way, “ The nice lady then asked the little girl if there was anyone she could call for her

“Mm, mm, my grandma maybe,” the frightened little girl stuttered. “She made me memorize her phone number.”

The women dialed the number and then told the child’s grandmother where they were at and what was going on. Luckily her grandma didn’t have to far drive.

The police and EMS had already arrived by the time the old woman got there. The little girl’s daddy was doing okay now, other than a pair of handcuffs.

The little girl’s mommy was still out as the paramedics frantically rushed around her. One EMT gave her a second dose of Narcan, 2 more were doing CPR. She had stopped breathing and her color was horrible. It didn’t look good.

Just when the EMT’s were about to use the paddles, the mom shot straight up, moaning loudly.

Now that the older woman knew her daughter was fine, she earnestly began looking for her granddaughter. The woman started to panic when finally she saw the little girl sitting inside Walmart.

Grandma rushed to her, picking her up. Searching the little girl head to toes, making sure she was okay.

“I didnt know what the do, grandma. Am I in trouble? Are mommy and daddy okay. I was so scared. I tried and tried to get them to wake up,” the little girl cried.

“Yes my dear your parents are okay, and no, you aren’t in any trouble. You did so good honey, I’m proud of you.”

Grandma profusely thanked the employee over and over. They both were thinking about what could have happened if the cashier hadn’t spotted their car. Grandma said a quick prayer thanking God, she was alright.

They walked over to the police car and grandma asked the officer if it was okay to take the little girl home. The officer nodded and then informed the grandma that the little girl’s mommy was going to the hospital for observation and her daddy straight to jail.

“They will definitely be charged with possession, paraphernalia and child endangerment. And their first court appearance will be Monday at 9am,” the officer then gave her some more information and told her she could take her granddaughter home.

“Rather a family member take her then scare her more with a stranger from CPS.”

The cop looked down at the young girl and saw his own grandchild. He bent down eye level and told her how proud of her he was.

“You were so brave. Now go on home with grandma. I’ll take care of your mommy and daddy, okay?”

“Are they in big trouble?” She asked him.

“We’ll see, for now we are just trying to get them better,” he responded.

“Th, th,the thank you,” the little girl responded.

“Your very welcome young lady,” he said smiling down at her. “Now you head on home.”

They were eating breakfast at the table a week later when the little girl asked her grandma where her parents were.

“Your mommy and daddy are very sick. They are going to a place to help them get better,” the grandma replied.

“Like last time?” the little girl said.

“It’s a different place this time,” grandma replied. Pushing back the thought that it hadn’t worked before so why was it this time.

The little girl began crying. “I miss them so much! When can I go see them?” She asked with tear filled eyes.

The old woman hugged her tight comforting her as she cried. The old woman hadn’t been entirely honest with the little girl. Her daddy was actually on his way back to prison for violating his parole. Her daughter was being offered a spot in their drug court. The first 3 months were inpatient, then graduating to some privileges.. But it still was going to be a very long road and this wasn’t their first rodeo. But she now she had her hands full, raising her granddaughter. Hoping that she didn’t somehow screw her up too.?