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Monday, October 27, 2014

From Place to Place


The Gallup group watched and discussed the DVD, "From Place to Place" on Saturday, Oct. 25.  This is a DVD about 3 adults who aged out of the foster care system.  One young man lived much of his adult life in jail.  Another young man lived his life on the streets and had a very difficult life, always seeking love and desiring family.  A third young woman, very much desired a forever family, someone who would love her forever.  She did get her GED and started college but as the documentary ended she was taking a break from school and was working three jobs and already had one broken relationship.  The bright spot of this DVD was that two of these young adults were invited to be a part of national forums to give input for foster care reform.  They felt pride and self-esteem because they were making a difference for future children in the foster care system.  

 

The DVD, while difficult to watch because of the pain in these young adults' lives, helped to revision us about the importance of the work we do. Even though we see the struggles of children who have become a part of forever families through adoption, we could see how much greater the pain can be for children who never have a forever family.  

Brian Kruis, Fiesta Contact in Gallup

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Finding Your Rhythm


As an 18 year old young mom, I was clueless.  I really didn’t know what I didn’t know.  Diapers, sleepless nights, teething, and don’t get me started on the terrible twos.  Eventually, we found our rhythm.  As a 42 year old adoptive mom, I was clueless.  I really didn’t know what I didn’t know.   Tears (both theirs and mine), fears (real and imagined), slow to trust, sweet and loving one minute/stubborn and defiant the next, tantrums (both theirs and mine). 

I have discovered that the things that worked with the older kid have no impact on the younger kids.  There are days I find myself frustrated when nothing seems to work and I can’t get through.  Then I hear “Mom, guess what happened at school today”, and I know we’ll be ok.  I don’t have to have all of the answers and that’s ok.   Finding our rhythm this time around is a little trickier.  Some days it is like navigating a mine field.  But most days it is such a blessing, filled with laughter and playfulness. 
April Chavez