The clouds have lifted and the sun is brightly shining. My head is clearing as well, and my eyes are beginning to see the beauty of the light. Promise. Hope. Happiness.

Friday, April 28, 2006

My newest tattoo got me thinking about foster parenting

weird connection huh?

Maybe not --

Ok, the guy (Jimmy) that did Joel and my tattoo was a cool ass dude. Picture this -- balding guy, nicely worked out, fully tat'd out (all down arms and legs), super nice guy.

Upon first thought I wouldn't guess he was a family man -- but he is. He is married and has 2 girls. After they tried for a third child, they found out his wife has all sorts of reproductive issues. They decided they would become foster parents. They currently have 2 boys --ages 3 and 1 --in their care. After working with the caseworker and trying for a year to reintroduce the baby (that they received addicted to crack at 3 days old and nameless) to his mother, the state finally severed her ties to the child completely. It was not easy for anyone involved. This child will be getting adopted by Jimmy and his wife. The other child is one of soon to be 6 children born to a methhead...and they are going thru the motions required by the state -- but they are hoping they will adopt this child also.

I dont' know about you -- but that gives me chills.

There are over 6,500 foster children in Arizona. Approximately 3,500 are in Maricopa County. During a typical year, over 1,500 children wait in emergency shelters for more than three weeks for a family.

I can't stop thinking about that.

My child bearing days are over -- but I wonder, is it crazy to wonder, if we could actually take in foster children? Jimmy said his goal was NOT to adopt these children -- but they feel like they are already his. That scares me, I can't lie. I don't know what would make Joel send me to a loony bin faster -- the idea of adopting a child -- or watching me have to give them back to their mother or father. I don't know if my children are ready for it -- if they ever will be? Would we even qualify? The thought of someone judging my family makes me nervous. I don't know if our home is available for children who are just, plain and simple, damaged somehow. Can we fix anything? Is it something to fix? Do we have enough love? Are we STRONG enough to give...them....back?

I really don't know -- but I do know that it's worth my thoughts --

and for the curious: Jimmy's work:


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