The more we take, the less we become!

 "The more we take, the less we become.
The fortune of one, means less for some."

 -Sarah McLachlan

I wasn't going to share this story with you.  Not because I don't think that it's worthy of writing about or because it's not important.  I guess to be honest, sometimes I FEEL (nobody actually says things like this to me;)) like when I write, people think I'm doing it for attention or because I feel like the way I give is better/more important than the way "you" give or I don't know?!?  I know it's MY insecurities that I'm allowing to leak into my brain, but surprisingly, I am human.

But, then I told my adult Sunday school class the story I'm about to share with you and with tear filled eyes, they decided they wanted to do something like this for another family in our community.  And I thought to myself, "Get over your doubts and fears and write a freaking post already!!" See, when I go a month/two without posting, it's usually because I'm feeling vulnerable/misunderstood/insecure.  (PLEASE DON'T POST LAURA GUSH COMMENTS BECAUSE YOU FEEL SORRY FOR ME!  I feel fine, just normal demons in my own pretty little head that everyone else fights, but doesn't write/talk about!)

Anyways, back to the post. The more we take, the less we become.

Last week, a friend emailed me and asked if I knew of any families that I felt deserving of a little extra Christmas cheer.  This friend offered me $250 to spend on making Christmas a little more manageable for a family AND to give an experience they might not otherwise have the opportunity to have.

HOW AWESOME!! I was and am so honored that this friend trusted me to select a family:) And how AMAZINGLY SELFLESS TO GIVE TO A FAMILY ANONYMOUSLY.

Anyways, with the cash in hand, I thought about something that a family of EIGHT might not get to do often.  So, I bought $100 to the movie theater.  I also purchased a $25 gift card for each monster.  I used Aaron's money (he's working 12's while I'm working very little due to the latest surgery;)) to put together a basket of movie night themed fun.

This family of 8, let me tell you a little about them.  You may know some of them, but probably don't know much about their story if you do...

 Once upon a time there was a family of three.  The very loving parents decided to sign up to be foster parents. FOSTERING is so important.  I always think about it.  (Aaron loves when I even mention fostering children;))  I struggle with the fact that IF the biological mom/dad cleans up, that you have to give the child(ren) back! I can't imagine having a child(ren) live with me, love me, and then give them back to their (often useless) parent.  It's heartbreaking to think of...let alone live! 

I have made these types of statements to the mother of the family.  Bluntly she has told me that if she didn't give them this love and support, who would!?!  There are more children in the system than they have foster parents enrolled.  Temporary homes that the children are bounced back and forth between until they find foster care and then what? Wait to see if the biological donor can get clean? Hope to have the child adopted?  Hope to have the child adopted with their sibling/five siblings?  Who can financially and emotionally take on an additional six children?

So, this amazing family of three started fostering half of the six children.  In the meantime they fell in love with another set of siblings and have since finalized the adoption of two additional littles.  For the time being, their family of eight is happy and healthy.  The mother loves ALL of the six "duckies" (as she refers to them) as if she carried them all in her belly and was there for their first cry and first smile.  These children: the biological, adopted and fostered, are all so loving and kind.  

When I walk into the school (yes, they live right here in this community!) they run up to me and hug me as if this is the first time seeing a forever friend in many years.  Every.single.time. they run up to hug me, I get a paper cut in each eyeball. I think of how they started out in this crazy world.  How drugs and alcohol have permanently scarred these beautiful, loving children.  As I think of what will happen next for the three in foster care, it makes me physically ill.

BUT, right now, they are happy and healthy and I am BLESSED BEYOND WORDS to know them and be a teeny, tiny part of their lives. 

So, this weekend, I invited this family that I hold dear over for a play date.  (Not many people are brave enough to invite a family of 8 over for a play date, it turns out.  If you have ever thought about hosting one, I'll have you know that my house was restored to pre-play date (cluttered mess) within a half hour of them exiting the door. They are all very helpful and willing to pick up when it's time to leave...oh and they say please and thank you for everything and their hugs are only second place to my own little monsters...and I'm a tad partial to my own monster family;))

I waited for a window of time that it was only the mother and I in the room.  I gave her the card with a loving note thanking her for all that her and her hubby do.  She said that they have NEVER taken the entire family to the movie theater at one time.  One of the duckies has NEVER been to the theater!  She hugged me just like her little duckies hug me when I see them.  She asked me to pass along their endless gratitude to the family that offered them such an amazing gift.  Thank you, dear anonymous selfless givers.  MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!

http://sanduskycountydjfs.org/cmsms/index.php?page=Adoption-and-Foster-Care

Thank you to this mother and father that so willingly give love and kindness to all of their duckies.  Thank you to ALL of the foster and adoptive parents for all you do. Thank you to all who give selflessly from the heart.

I was listening to Sarah on my way into work today and couldn't help but to think about how I feel so full when I give, yet I feel so empty when I take.  

This CHRISTmas season, give more than you take.  You will be so proud of the person you become when you give back.

 "The more we take, the less we become. The fortune of one, means less for some."

All my love,