“She signed”

I read these exact words as a text this afternoon and immediately jumped up from my desk with cheerleader style “woo!” arms. I hugged the other women on my team one by one and we celebrated and reviewed the next steps.  What a milestone.

(No, I was never a cheerleader but my high school cross country coach always said I should run in a shirt because I was always cheering people on instead of focusing on winning.)

This means I can put a check next to one more thing on the list.  I thought you’d like to see the current state of the list because many of the steps now have new dates indicated in pencil.

I also wanted to say I appreciate all of you.  Some of you have told me or my husband you read these updates.  So many of you have encouraged us with your prayers, your words of affirmation, and just lending a listening ear.

From the stats show, there are 100-150 of you that read, have thoughts, but haven’t yet voiced any words or likes.

It is for you, that I write these next pieces because I think many of you have had the same thoughts.

In recent conversations this week a friend shared that she reads this blog and has wanted to comment and has even considered being a foster parent but when you sign up to be a foster parent a lot stress and bumps come with the role.  I agree.  And I can understand that this reality makes the journey seem less attractive than other roles in which you might serve.  I love her honesty as it reminded me that while I can ask you to think about opening your home, being a foster or adoptive parent isn’t just as simple as saying, “Hey.  I have a bed and some extra food.”  It’s a complex responsibility.  One that should be evaluated seriously.  I think I mentioned in one of the first posts, but I think it’s worth re-stating… the average home takes 5 years from the time they consider becoming a foster parent to when they begin the licensure process.

Another friend and I were talking earlier today about this journey and she mentioned concerns about older children who have already been molded and shaped and how fostering older children (we were talking about teenagers) has its own set of challenges.  I’m not going to pretend to have experience in this area, but I am going to say I can understand her concerns.  Others have also mentioned concerns of the effects of foster children on their biological children or other children currently living in their home.

I don’t have quick answers to these situations.

All I can offer is our experience and our knowledge of training and resources.

I can also offer the word that has been the theme of our journey.

Willing.

Are you willing?

Are you willing to take the risk?

Are you willing to feel uncomfortable?

Are you willing to do something that your family and friends might blink twice at?

Are you willing to put your heart on the line without any expectation of love in return?

For the sake a child.

For the sake of an innocent child.

Goodnight.

Published 5/28/2015