My husband and I have started the process to become foster parents. That decision is a very long story that I will save for another day, but I did want to share something I’ve been thinking as we’ve been going through the process the last few weeks.
There are good people in this world. Yes, there are a lot of horrible things that people are doing to each other and to children (believe me when I say we’ve heard a lot about that these past few weeks). But there are really, really good people in this world.
As part of our training, we have to attend 8 classes that are 3 hours long. I was blown away when we walked into class for the first time and saw how many people were there. Over 20 couples! It was so moving to see so many people who were willing to take on this responsibility. The classes aren’t for the faint of heart. They get pretty real about challenges you’ll have with primary families, challenges you’ll have with the kids in your home, long term effects of the abuse and neglect that children experience, the emotional difficulties of becoming attached to a child and then sending them back to their family, etc. It has oftentimes been heart wrenching to consider what some children go through and how it impacts their life in some many areas. Yet people keep coming to class.
Then there are the instructors and employees. These people have spent years trying to help kids and families. They have been through so much emotionally. It is hard, taxing, and doesn’t pay well. But they keep doing it.
There are good people in this world. They aren’t seen in the same way that people doing bad things are. They are rarely acknowledged in the the news or social media, they don’t usually receive awards or recognition, and they are often unseen. But there are good people in this world who are willing to do hard things without without any expectation of being seen, applauded, recognized, honored, or thanked. They just do it because they can’t NOT do it.
Work In Progress 