R
ronl
Guest
Coming up on New Year’s Day - my birthday and the birthday of my oldest daughter who was abducted, molested and murdered 12 years ago. Struggling through grief and pain, a word was placed in my vocabulary - foster child. My family and I are blessed with two adopted children from Romania - and I love them dearly and do/would do anything for them. Yep, they are spoiled rotten.
Now for that word in my vocabulary. To keep a long story short, there once was a kid who seemed to blend in with my two adopted children - a foster kid. Checking into the situation, no chance at a return home, and let’s just say the case made a point to me that convicted child molesters are the “preferred dads”- I guess its a social services thing. Emotionally, I undoubtedly incurred some additional pain and have ever since have the desire to bring one more child into my family. I desire that just has not faded over time. No one seems really understand the deepness of the desire or why; and I guess that’s OK.
Not much support for whatever reason. And for over 5 years, I have been blessed to come in contact with several needy children with very disfunctional families - the contact with the kids just come and go. All these contacts were made through friendships at a local community church - a "seeker type church " with a lot of transients (no discernable pathway in the Catholic environment) A few years ago, I even offered to a mom to pay for the tuition for their two daughters to go to the same Catholic school as my daughters are currently attending. What a bomb!!!. Family issues and I just didn’t realize the “love” Baptists have toward Catholics. For whatever reason that hurt more deeply than other situations
Only to illustrate, the depth of my conviction (and not to have a pity party) one of my relatives families adopted a child, was working on a second - but did not work out. Never had an emotional reaction to the others - but when the most recent additon to their family showed up - I was literally vomiting dry heaves in the front yard of my in laws. I passed it off as the flu. My wife knows the real story. Doesn’t understand or choses not to. Upon reflection, there was something about that youngster that made a huge difference in how I reacted
My next birthday is coming up tomorrow - Ugh. Season of live closing and closing fast. I have prayed to Jesus, Mary, St. Jude, and anyone else who might be an advocate in “high Places”
The only options - to leave sufficient funds from a recent inheritance to provide for a child that would be identified after my death, or perhaps chat with a little ol’ grandma that I don’t even know that is trying to raise two kids on her own.
My family will think I have gone somewhat nuts on the Catholic thing - but a good few hours I plan to be at my home church for Eucharistic adoration on Friday - after whinning to God for while. I 'm going to “sit and soak” as they say.
I know the drill - leave it at the Cross of Jesus - too many human free will decisions need to line up to make your miracle really happen. Very much easier said than done
Whoever reads this thread - thanks for listening, any comments, and prayers. New Years Eve and Day are simply a bit rough . Never posted something like this before - so I hope it is appropriate.
May God Bless You All in the New Year
Ron
Now for that word in my vocabulary. To keep a long story short, there once was a kid who seemed to blend in with my two adopted children - a foster kid. Checking into the situation, no chance at a return home, and let’s just say the case made a point to me that convicted child molesters are the “preferred dads”- I guess its a social services thing. Emotionally, I undoubtedly incurred some additional pain and have ever since have the desire to bring one more child into my family. I desire that just has not faded over time. No one seems really understand the deepness of the desire or why; and I guess that’s OK.
Not much support for whatever reason. And for over 5 years, I have been blessed to come in contact with several needy children with very disfunctional families - the contact with the kids just come and go. All these contacts were made through friendships at a local community church - a "seeker type church " with a lot of transients (no discernable pathway in the Catholic environment) A few years ago, I even offered to a mom to pay for the tuition for their two daughters to go to the same Catholic school as my daughters are currently attending. What a bomb!!!. Family issues and I just didn’t realize the “love” Baptists have toward Catholics. For whatever reason that hurt more deeply than other situations
Only to illustrate, the depth of my conviction (and not to have a pity party) one of my relatives families adopted a child, was working on a second - but did not work out. Never had an emotional reaction to the others - but when the most recent additon to their family showed up - I was literally vomiting dry heaves in the front yard of my in laws. I passed it off as the flu. My wife knows the real story. Doesn’t understand or choses not to. Upon reflection, there was something about that youngster that made a huge difference in how I reacted
My next birthday is coming up tomorrow - Ugh. Season of live closing and closing fast. I have prayed to Jesus, Mary, St. Jude, and anyone else who might be an advocate in “high Places”
The only options - to leave sufficient funds from a recent inheritance to provide for a child that would be identified after my death, or perhaps chat with a little ol’ grandma that I don’t even know that is trying to raise two kids on her own.
My family will think I have gone somewhat nuts on the Catholic thing - but a good few hours I plan to be at my home church for Eucharistic adoration on Friday - after whinning to God for while. I 'm going to “sit and soak” as they say.
I know the drill - leave it at the Cross of Jesus - too many human free will decisions need to line up to make your miracle really happen. Very much easier said than done
Whoever reads this thread - thanks for listening, any comments, and prayers. New Years Eve and Day are simply a bit rough . Never posted something like this before - so I hope it is appropriate.
May God Bless You All in the New Year
Ron
I hope you return to this thread and add to it.
That’s hard.