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