| About 15 years ago I made the decision to become | | | | Over the years, I have seen my adopted son grow |
| a foster parent-to make a difference in a child's life. | | | | and develop into a loving, caring husband, great |
| Was it what I expected? Well, not exactly! What I | | | | father and really kind person of whom I am very |
| expected was a grateful kid, happy to be in a nice | | | | proud. Having an adopted son that I've grown to |
| home away from the abuse and problems that | | | | love, appreciate and greatly respect has allowed me |
| brought him into care - the perfect kid. What I got, | | | | to weather many of the subsequent storms that |
| however, was an angry, not terribly appreciative child | | | | fostering difficult teens has provided me with. Now |
| who was quite difficult to work with. Did he trust | | | | when things get really difficult I always think back to |
| me? No! Did he listen to me? Not always. But with | | | | the time I almost gave up on Mike. I am indeed |
| patience and the passing of time we were able to | | | | grateful that I hung in long enough to reap the |
| work through problems, develop a relationship and an | | | | rewards of adoption and share in his successes. |
| appreciation for each other. And, that wasn't all that | | | | One of these, my grandson, age three is at least in |
| bad. | | | | my eyes the cutest, brightest kid in the entire state |
| In retrospect, I guess I made my share of parenting | | | | - I'm taking some of the credit! After all, my adopted |
| mistakes. But, I looked for the good in him, had a lot | | | | son must have listened and picked up some of my |
| of patience and hung in there. Many years ago after | | | | values, right? |
| the adoption finalized, I received a Birthday Day Card | | | | Yes, Mike did put me through the paces in the early |
| that said, "Dear Dad, I am at a loss for words so I | | | | years, but you have to pay your dues to get that |
| picked a card that said how I feel. I want you to | | | | "expected perfect kid". And, isn't that what parenting |
| know that I will always be grateful for everything | | | | is all about? |
| you have done for me- adoption aside. You are a | | | | Adoption - Making a Difference in a Child's Life! |
| very special person who was always there for me! | | | | Explore adoption & find out if adoption is right for |
| Happy Birthday, Love, your son, Mike." | | | | you? |