Stories of Love...

I Learned From My Parents

When I was younger, my parents became foster parents. Kids would come and go, eventually, my parents considered adoption. They found a girl who we thought would be the perfect new addition to our family. My parents cared for this child for a while and then my mother became ill. She needed surgery that required a long recuperation. Since my mo could no longer be the primary caregiver for this child she had to be removed from our home.

This left a huge empty void in my heart, since I had become veryclose to this child. When I became an adult and after having my own children, although I love my kids, this void was still there - so I became a foster parent.

The first child that came to me had moved from 6 homes in 6 months, I was her 7th placement. When the child arrived, her face bore the look of someone confused, desperate for love affection, wanting to be wanted, but yet feeling all alone and wanting to go home.

As the next months went by, she gave me the challenge of her life. She was very angry. As with most foster children, she was behind in school. When she arrived as a 4th grader, she tested on a kindergarten level. I kept telling this child that no matter what you do, we would always be there for you.

She made progress month by month. She gradually was placed higher and higher in her schoolwork until she reached the 3rd grade level. We enrolled her in sports and cheerleading. I went to counseling with her and eventually she was placed with her grandmother.

Watching this child's behavior change and her schoolwork improve during the 18 months she lived with me, made it all worthwhile!