Claire Riley

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer
He’'s only 2-1/2 but he makes me laugh!! We have a regular, weekly routine- he in his car seat and me at the wheel. First he says, “Open that”- pointing at my sunroof. So I open and he waves and gets some air. Then he says, “Close that” and it happens.

Open-close-open-close- for umm maybe five minutes. Next, he says, “flashlight” and I hand him the rubber-clad light I keep for emergencies. He turns it on, flashes it around the car and proceeds to remove the batteries, examining every part. He puts it back together. Then it’s time for “phone.” He loves to talk on the cell- usually calling his foster mother to say “On our way home. Sissy too. Love you. Bye.” Then it’s quiet for a long while- until I hear “E E Na Na” and I have to look back and say, “Your eating my antenna?” “Yeah,” he squeals with delight at which time it is our ritual to “tickle” his legs with the tickle fingers. That’s why I volunteer- because it makes a difference- to him and to me.