Fostering Love
From a very young age, I just knew that I wanted a large family. Having my own children was always a dream of mine, but I also knew I wanted to be a foster parent as well.
My inspiration came from my God Mother, who lived right next door to me growing up. She had many foster children, five of which she adopted. It was amazing to watch these children come to her so broken, and with just a bit of love, patience and understanding, turn into wonderful young people.
You wonder if you can ever help to make them whole again, and then it happens. They appreciate you, they love you and they are so thankful for you. I wanted to be the person that helped to make broken children whole again. The way all children should be.
Over the past seven years my husband and I have fostered eight different children. We also participate in what is called "Respite". This is when a foster parent goes away and they need short term placement, usually about a week, and then the child is returned to the original foster parents.
Today, my husband Erik and I have four biological children, and two foster children living with us. One of our little foster daughters, who is now eight years old, has been with us since she was four. We are planning to adopt her. Though my husband and I did not go into this to adopt, this just feels so right and we cannot imagine our life without her. She gave me a card recently that she wrote during one of our craft times together at home. It read..
I love you, because I Iike helping you.
You are the best foster mom in the whole wide world.
You are the best. I love you. Thank You.
(This letter is hanging on my refrigerator right now. It will hang in my heart forever).
For this past Mother's Day she wrote me this poem;
Mommy:
Sweet, Loving
Hugging, washing, cooking
You are the best mom.
This is why, I do what I do. Every ounce of strength I have comes from my children. Not just my foster children, but all of my children. I have walked into a hospital with an empty car seat and walked out with a two day old baby. You must always remember to bring your strength along with you. The oldest child we have fostered is fifteen years old and we still talk to her every week.
Being a foster parent is providing a safe, welcoming place for a needy child. It truly is an amazing journey to travel. When you give a child hope and will, and see them respond to that, it makes you realize, this is what life should truly be about.
Anyone can be a foster parent. They only thing you need is your heart, and patience.
Sometimes when there are not enough foster homes here, these unfortunate children are sent off of the island to strange places. Let's try and work together to keep our Island kids here... Home, where they belong. Peace to you all.
Elexis Wildanger is a full time working Mom who lives in Oak Bluffs with her husband Erik and their four children. They currently have two foster children living with them. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Elexis by email at ewildlex@aolcom.
If you would like to learn more about becoming a foster parent yourself for more information please call 800-352-0711 and ask for Leona Bombaci or Tony Brownstein.
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