*Photo copyrighted from Shutterstock.com
Kiddos With Faces
"Being in foster care for me has been the best thing ever. You see, for those of you who have parents that are drug heads, alcoholics, abusive, or run out on or even, neglect you, being in foster care is good. You see, you don't have to go through that anymore. You are in a safe environment (*See note). You have people that care about you, love you, accept you, clothe you, and are there for you."
This quote from a young lady of 17, fictitious name of "MeMe", is found in the following link:
http://www.ffta.org/publicpolicy_advocacy/personalizeadvocacy.pdf
*Reliable foster care that provides safety and meets needs for kiddos. This is what this young lady is referring to. Unfortunately, there are imposters, who claim to be safe places for children (foster homes, group homes, etc.), but in reality provide below-quality care. In such places, the children are used for montetary profit as the only goal. Fortunately there are good-hearted people who lay down their lives for the children, who need to be in a safe place, who have never known what it is like to be in a safe place.
*Photo copyrighted from Shutterstock.com
I am thankful for this's kiddo positive, life-giving, experience with foster care.
I am thankful, that I was able to walk with, and work with, two amazing group home parents ... second to none in skills, devotion, and wisdom ... providing a home for children in the foster care system. I am a far better man in this life as a result of working with them.
I am thankful for the children: heroic, resilient, creative, brilliant, good-hearted. Sitting with these pre-adolescent / adolescent girls, annointed with elegance by the father, and young fellows (same ages) on the road to being a man, bringing with them profound wisdom, fortitude, and flexibility to withstand the storms of this world that attacks one's dignity, usurps one's giftings, and sabotages one's callings.
Their faces will never recede into insignificance. Names may fade. Detailed circumstances of their files may be difficult to recall. But their faces, their stories, are transcendent.
I live with bittersweet gifts from these young warriors, wounded warriors, poetic warriors, who try to make sense of the madness and the safety they have experienced; or ... they do their best to forget such unjust and hurtful craziness.
There was jagged resistance, understandably; and laughter mixed with smiles. Some children brought both, to the the table. Regardless of what I brought to the table, these young people always brought something.
At times own deficits got in the way of what God was up to. I try not to dwell on my own shortcomings. This work, with at-risk youth and families, is not about me.
It's about the children, first. Then the big picture emerges, the care the children need from us, (adults / providers / policy makers / parents / agencies / judges / lawyers / mentors / county DHS case workers / psychotherapists, and etc). That is when we can become a part of their lives, with a profound importance that we embrace the privilege for those roles we play. When we consider these children an inconvenience, we are not on our "A-Game", as one of my dear friend / colleagues would say from time to time.
It's about the children, first. Then the big picture emerges, the care the children need from us, (adults / providers / policy makers / parents / agencies / judges / lawyers / mentors / county DHS case workers / psychotherapists, and etc). That is when we can become a part of their lives, with a profound importance that we embrace the privilege for those roles we play. When we consider these children an inconvenience, we are not on our "A-Game", as one of my dear friend / colleagues would say from time to time.
I will continue with the second half of this piece on the next blog.
Until next time, peace ...
Story Man and Humor Agent
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