Friday, February 27, 2009

Good Day, Company Girls!

It's a very rainy and mild day in my part of Canada today...although it's suppose to drop to freezing later on today! At least we're getting rid of the last bits of snow!

Last night I received a wonderful phone call. There is a young man who has been friends with my eldest daughter since they were both in highschool. I always thought that he was very nice, although he had a pretty rough time. You see, he was a foster child....it's one thing to be a foster kid when you're little but he was a teen....not easy. We happen to have a very easy phone number to remember and so last night he called....he lives quite far away...in Calgary....and he was looking to say hi with eldest daughter and needed her phone number...so, we chatted for awhile. I was really touched because he said that being a foster child was a very positive thing in his life! Now, as a former foster parent for 19 years, this just warmed the cockles of my heart. You always like to think that you had a positive influence in the kids lives (no, he wasn't in our home).....you like to know that you've made a difference....a good difference. As a foster parent you can see when a child is removed from a bad situation that it's good for him...you can see, if there are other children left in that bad situation and it didn't go well for them..then you can also see that it was a good thing for that child......but it's very unusual for the child to see it!

8 comments:

Dani said...

I am sure it is very rewarding...and challenging to be a foster parent. I know a few people who have adopted children, and they have truly been blessed by it. I'm glad that you got to talk with this young man, and that he could show you how much he was blessed through his experiences. I'm sure in some way it helps validate what you have been doing for the children you helped.

Erin said...

Kuddos to you and your husband for reaching out and helping children, whether they were in your house or not.

It is threatening rain here today in VA. It has drizzled a little, but now just looks depressingly grey. I'm off to poor myself another cup of coffee, perfect for these dreary days.

Kara @ Just1Step said...

That is definitely very neat that he realized that. It's always exciting when kids (I'm speaking of myself here, seeing as I'm only 25) get older and can understand things from a different angle. I hope he convinced you all the more that you were definitely helping children by fostering them. :)

Luanne said...

God bless you for spreading your love to others! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by today.

That is rewarding, and I'm sure you've make a difference to those kids.

Reese said...

Oh what a sweet post. You must have a special heart. I am sending you a cup of coffee with sprinkles on top, family favorite.

mholgate said...

I have a friend who's been fostering for a very long time. She has even adopted 3 of her foster children. I have seen the positive impact she has made in their lives and have talked with my DH about doing it when our children are a little older. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Blessings,
Melissa
Melissa

Rachel Anne said...

I often think of doing foster parenting...maybe we will do it. We always said "when our kids are older...." and now they are. It has to feel so very good to see the positive impact you've made in the kids' lives. I know that no one but Jesus can fix everything, but for a child who comes to a safe home and feels loved, it must be wonderful. You have a big heart.