When I was a kid, my parents fostered children. From little tiny brand-new babies all the way to teenagers, they would stay with us for a few days to many months. I’m sure the impact on my parents was challenging, but for us kids, I mostly remember it being fun to have other kids around. Even at a young age, it was not lost on me how challenging their circumstances were, and I doubt I knew a fraction of them.
I would classify our family as a lower-middle-class family. This meant that we always had food, but nothing expensive to eat. We had clothes on our bodies, but nothing name-brand and often, the clothes were hand-me-downs. We always had a roof over our heads with no jeopardy of that not being the case. The utilities were always working, and there was a sense of stability. We definitely lived in a world where we were loved and cared for and there was never a sense of not being safe.
As I was exposed to the lives of these foster kids and as I got older, the sense that we had something that not everyone had, became more and more apparent. How could a child be left without a parent? How could a parent allow a child not to be safe? In some cases, the parent had actually hurt the children themselves. As a child, I think my young brain only allowed just enough of this information into my head to know that I was lucky to be living in a world that did not include any of those dangers or traumas.
There was one boy who we fostered not because of abuse or neglect but because his mother was terminally ill. We fostered with the intent to adopt. William* was going to be the little brother I never had! I was so excited! At the very last minute, William’s father contested the adoption and won custody. I was devastated as he drove away, looking out the back window of the car; it was like the scene in a movie. I was crying uncontrollably.
As an adult, I understand entirely the court's decision to keep children with their biological parents. As a child, I did not. Unfortunately, William’s life would get harder before it got better. His dad was not capable of being a good father, and William ended up back in the foster care system in another state. As I understand it, William did end up in a good home.
With this in mind, I have a request. Rebecca has launched a “FUN” raiser to gather back to school supplies for the children in our county who will begin school in a foster home. They deserve to start their year with the supplies and backpacks they need to be successful. Will you join in on the “FUN?”
Check out the attached flyer with the information on what is needed, the donation collection celebration and how to have Rebecca come to you to collect your donation. Whatever you choose to give [supplies, new backpack, or supplies + new backpack] text me a receipt, and I will Venmo ½ of your expense back to you! I will do this for the first $4000 in receipts I get.
*not his real name
Me playing with William on the swing - 1981.
