In May of 2022 I decided to become a foster parent. After background checks, fingerprinting, months of training, and in-depth personal interviews, I am finally ready to begin accepting children into my home.
I will begin this Friday with two 16-year-old boys for a 10-day respite stay. I think it is the perfect opportunity to learn and adjust to sharing our home. Vader is excited, both because they enjoy video games and because they share the same taste in snacks - chips, crackers, and smoothies. Who doesn’t though, right?
I am not naive. I know this journey isn’t going to be easy. I know I am taking on a lot and will be challenged often. It will be harder than I expect at times, I’m sure. There will be a lot of bumps and heartache along the way. But there will also be growth and love and connection too. And when the time comes, it will be hard to say goodbye to each and every child that passes through. But this isn’t about me. It’s about them.
It’s about providing a safe, loving, and welcoming home for however long they stay. It is about sharing their hopes and dreams with them, and encouraging them to be themselves, fully and completely. It’s being a trusted adult who believes in them and is proud of their achievements, big and small. It’s keeping them connected to their families, friends, faith, and cultures. It is about being a support for their birth families when they need it most and helping them move through the trauma with patience and grace.
I appreciate all of the love and support along the way and still to come. I am excited for this next step. Whatever it brings, I will face it with my whole heart.
