I'm the type of person who carries an umbrella around on dreary days just so it doesn't rain. That's how my luck runs. You can believe in times of drought I retire and hide all umbrellas to the basement. We bought a sled two winters ago, and every winter since has been pretty mild. We have gotten snow, but not enough to make regular daily life difficult. It all melts in a few hours.
Sasquatch and I started the process to become foster parents two and a half years ago. Due to timing, drastic process and leadership changes, the process took longer than usual. Really, its all in the best interest of the child, that people who care for children in need learn to be patient with the process, have training on how to handle issues and children who need home.
Last week, we got word that the state was going to put through our license as a foster home. It was great news. We celebrated. Then we freaked out. We have so much we want to do. The second/kids' bathroom shower leaks if a long 20+ minute shower is taken. We need to get it fixed. It leaks right in the middle of my work room! Can you imagine if we had an 8 year old and told them,
"No, you can't take a shower in your bathroom. You must use the master bathroom or go all the way across the house." No dice.
photo By matsuyuki, Toshiyuki IMAI
It will all work out. We became officially licensed on Thursday. Our licensing social worker was on vacay, so the licensing social worker on duty gave me a call, gave us a congrats, and asked for our stats. How many kids can you take in? How many beds/cribs? What was your age range? What is the best number to call? Are you really a Stay at Home Mom? Oh, and you might end up with a placement today, tomorrow, or next week, but if you don't, don't feel bad. We are in dire need of more foster homes.
Sweetheart, if a child never needs to be removed from their family, I'd be a happy person. If a child is never abused or neglected, my heart would sing. If from now and to eternity, we do not need to be needed, I'd dance a jig.
The likelihood of my dream of all the abuse, neglect, unsafe situations just disappearing overnight is not going to happen in this broken world, but I had hope. I pray for the kids who will be coming, that God with give them strength and shelter, until I can do that for them. I pray that the kids who will come to my house in the future, will not have their souls and spirits crushed, they will keep hope. We did not get a call on Thursday.
Something weird happened a few weeks ago. I started wanting a baby. A very unlikely scenario. Babies in foster care are rare. Really, I didn't want a baby. They cry. And poop. And sleep. And are super needy. And they don't sleep through the night which means I won't sleep through the night. My baby is going into Kindergarten and I'm excited. A baby, really?
photo By Rouvelee's Creations, ROUVELEE ILAGAN
The Wednesday morning before, I was walking Su into her preschool class and I opened the car and for the life of me, I felt like I should reach in and take out a bucket. I checked the back seat, again. Dear God, really? Are you telling me something?
I got a call Friday evening. Within 4 hours, I held a baby who has only been held by nurses and social workers, who expected me to just hand her off like everyone else. When she realized, that night/wee morning, I wasn't going off shift, all she wanted to do was stay up and study my face and remember my voice. I'm not sure what the future holds, but I sure love holding her.
I had never known her, but I know her. I know her sounds and her needs. And she knows that if I'm there, she has nothing to worry about.
