One step that we took was to become foster parents. We took lots of classes, went through all kinds of background checks and home visits, and then waited and waited for DCFS. Eventually, we got a call, although we had almost given up. We hadn’t even notified DCFS of our last change of address.
There was a little girl who needed a home. We got WendyGirl just six days after her first birthday, and we loved her. There was a very strong possibility that she would be adopted, and we wanted to be the ones to adopt her.
Her parents did not do the things that they should. The judge would say that they needed to meet certain minimums, or else. They would do half of it. The judge would give them an extension and cut back the requirements, and say they had to do it or else. They would do half of that. Eventually, the judge said that WendyGirl would return home, but if the parents lost employment or housing within two weeks, WendyGirl would be taken away for good. They lost both in about three weeks. As far as I am aware, WendyGirl is still with them today.
My heart still aches for WendyGirl. I don’t think about her every day anymore, but I still do think about her often. She would be eight years old now. Whenever I think about her, I pray that she is doing all right. WendyGirl, where ever you are, we still love you.
2 comments:
We still think about our first foster kid, and even occasionally see him. Mom continues to screw up and I've even called DHS, but they won't re-open the case. (Even though even though even though...) WE've had 9 other foster kids since then, and I've learned a lot about fostering, but that first one still has a warm spot in my heart.
Thank you for your comment, Michelle.
I enjoyed reading your blog on the foster-adoption process. I thought adopting WendyGirl was a sure thing for 8 of the 9 months that she lived with us, and thought of her as mine. It was heartbreaking to find that she was not.
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