Lynda

It is always hard to tell if what you are doing is "working" or if you are
making some giant horrendous mess of everything. I think it is human and,
in particular, mommy nature to worry about our parenting skills. And
particularly for those of us who didn't have the greatest examples to learn
from!

Over the years we've had our ups and downs and our little "family" has grown
and shrunk depending on how many foster and "adopted" children we currently
have living with us.

But, when it is all said and done, the holidays always bring a card or phone
call from one of "our" kidlets that tells me "ya ain't doing so bad, keep
following the same path."

Here's what was written in a card we received on Christmas Day from one of
our "adopted" boys. This kinda card makes it all worthwhile and makes the
self-doubts go away at least for a little while!

You two have given me
what no one else can,
Respect and responsibility to
be a young man.

You shone light on the darkness
and opened my eyes,
To learn from my mistakes
and go on with my life.

From drama with mama
or trouble in court
You two would never stop
givin me support.

But I can't pay you back
for all the good that you've done
But I recognize the family
that loves me like a son.

Now when I speak,
it's HONESTY before fear!
Merry Christmas and
have a Happy New Year.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Kolleen" <Kolleen@...>


> I think this has to do with how much damage was done and how much
> insecurities it caused.
> I spent many years oblivious of my own insecurities, still trying to get
> my 'mother's approval'.
>
> Now I've been working on cutting that line for many years. Sometimes, I
> don't always keep my confidence and her words shake me. Sometimes, I can
> shake them off.
>
> > The wounds inflicted (knowingly or not) by parents seem to linger at
> >least a lifetime. Have you found families you actually have friendships
> >with who have manged to develop adult-adult relationships with grown
> >children?

Sarah Carothers

Lynda quoted:
This kinda card makes it all worthwhile and makes the
self-doubts go away at least for a little while!

You two have given me
what no one else can,
Respect and responsibility to
be a young man.

You shone light on the darkness
and opened my eyes,
To learn from my mistakes
and go on with my life.

From drama with mama
or trouble in court
You two would never stop
givin me support.

But I can't pay you back
for all the good that you've done
But I recognize the family
that loves me like a son.

Now when I speak,
it's HONESTY before fear!
Merry Christmas and
have a Happy New Year.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Makes it all worthwhile, doesn't it! That was a lovely poem. I like gifts like this more than presents~ (coming from one who is struggling to break away from livingin a material world, that's saying something!)
Sarah



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