Reality show?

Marta came in for her physical today at the free clinic. She left her children with their grandparents 8 years ago in order to come to the US to try to make enough money to support them. Since then she has been working in our town in a factory and sending a chunk of her income back every month. "Have you seen your children since then?," I asked. No, she's afraid she would not make it back in the country without any documents. But she does talk with them every few days. She's also been stressed because she finally decided to leave her abusive alcoholic husband. She's on her own now and feels stronger. She's happy that her children will have enough to make it. I can not imagine leaving one's children in order to help them. It's a calculation that the benefits will outweigh the anger and resentment those children feel of being left behind. But it's a calculus that is worked out every day by desperate parents who can not make it where they are. I don't expect to see a reality show about this very soon.