It was 3 am. I had just stepped on the flashing, musical demon of a plastic toy. The one that threatened to wake the entire house as I was on my way to get the crying child. It had been a long day, week, few months, and I froze – waiting the evil song out to see if it’s tortuous potential would come true. The music stopped. And, so had the upset child. I waited. No one made a sound. Whew
Relief as deep as it gets settled into my bones and I finished making my way toward my little one. Slowly picking her up, I was thankful this one knew our routine. After only 30 minutes she was back to sleep and tucked in tight.
That’s when it hit me. How incredibly grateful I was for the sleeping, peaceful family in my home. And how the demon toy had brought this realization about. If it hadn’t scared me out of my goal oriented get child, sooth child, get back to sleep as soon as possible haze I would have missed this moment. I would have missed this thankfulness for my sleeping family and these these extra few minutes of gratitude.
So, here is this foster mom’s list of thanks giving – beginning with musical toys in the middle of the night.
- That the musical toy I stepped on in the middle of the night to get the crying child didn’t wake the rest of them.
- For a husband who loves our children, spends time with them, and wants to change the world by being a really great parent.
- For all of our kids’ biological families who chose to give them life and the little ways they love them.
- A Great attachment therapist who has helped us at every bump in the road.
- Family that welcomes each foster child as if he were our very own child – no matter how long he stays.
- Great books such as Flap Your Wings and Loving Parents: Raising Hurting Children
- Social workers and Casas who care about our foster children and their biological families.
- Laundry – all of it – but only when it’s clean (who said anything about folded and put away?)
- Case managers who come along side our children’s biological families and help them every step of the way.
- A perfect God who loves us in these great big messes that we make and always provides a way through.
- Friends I can call and cry on the phone with when life gets a little too messy for me to see God at work. They help point the way back to Him.
- A job. Actual, physical work that provides an income so we can keep loving our kiddos.
Happy Thanks Giving Ya’ll!
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