#GivingTuesday #Payingitforward I am inspired to give to foster kids because my siblings and I were adopted when we were 8,7,5,2. Despite the fact that we went to 3 different homes our adopted families kept us in touch for most of our childhood. We arrived at these homes with nothing but the clothes on our backs despite the fact that they were wrong sizes, tattered and didn't match and having no shoes, it didn't matter because from that point forward we were truly blessed to be given the necessities and so much more. A home, warm bed, and food every day but most important we had families that provided us with unconditional love, support and a safe stable environment that gave us the tools to grow, flourish, realize our dream, chase our goals and just be children. We no longer had to just be survivors and protectors of each other but instead we were protected from the father that tried repeatedly to disregard our little lives because his need for drugs, alcohol and violence was more important. How can someone who is suppose to be your biggest protector be the person that you need protecting from. How do you look your hungry child in the eyes as you take the little bit of cash to go get a fix and leave us to fend for ourself without a home, food, or bare necessities like clothes and shoes on the riverbank, in a tent, on the side of the road and not come back for days. It has affected each of us differently and the damage has made each of us guarded and untrusting of those we don't know but the love I was personally shown by my adopted mom has allowed me to be the best me I can be. If I could help every child I would, if I could give each of them a warm safe place I would, if I could take their pain I would.
No child should ever feel unloved or unlovable. I want every child to find forever homes and feel that amazing feeling of unconditional love, support and to know and experience what many take for granted. I was truly blessed and given the best opportunity at life by my adopted family and I am forever grateful, words just can not explain or convey how that feels. I graduated high school, graduated community college as well as attaining my Bachelor's degree and am currently working toward my MBA. I have a career of over 15 years in progressive Human resource Management, with my most recent role providing support to International Space Station for NASA. My older brother excels in his career, has a beautiful wife and they are expecting their 1st child next year. My 2nd to youngest brother is recently a cancer survivor and has given our family the most amazing nieces and nephews (4) and I cherish them, he also has a career he is passionate about and has made a great reputation for himself in that industry. My youngest brother is more of our father and has battled addiction, and struggles but at least he is able to work and provide for himself and has not brought any children into his selfish choices. Overall despite the odds we have overcome and a examples of what love, prayer, support and positive guidance can do in the lives of children. I strive to be better, do better and help those children that are unable to help themselves.
Review from #MyGivingStory