by Martha Jette

Created on: October 24, 2009   Last Updated: October 28, 2009

There is no act of kindness greater than helping a child. Had it not been for the couple who adopted me at seven years old, who knows where I'd be today.

At the tender age of two, my family was split up and the children's aid took over control of my life. Over the next several years, I was placed in various foster homes, most notably that of Mr. and Mrs. Taft, who cared for a number of children who had no place to call home. By the time I was 7, I'd given up hope of ever having parents of my own. I'd seen other children come and go from the Taft's and knew they'd found new parents. Why not me?

One night I awoke from my slumber by the sound of music and singing. When I opened my eyes, I saw a vision in which a man appeared in what seemed to be a television set in the upper corner of my tiny room in the foster home. He was singing the most beautiful song but I thought, I must be dreaming. This can't be real! I rolled over, sat up several times, pinched myself and so on, but the vision and the soothing music continued. I finally decided to just lie back and enjoy this most unconventional sight and somehow, the music seemed to touch something deep within my soul.

The next morning, I told Mrs. Taft about the vision.

"You must have been dreaming," she said. "Children dream strange things sometimes."

"But it wasn't a dream," I persisted. "I was wide awake."

Two weeks later, I was taken from the foster home to the children's aid to get a new outfit. That just never happened, so I knew something big was about to happen to me. Before I knew it, a man drove up in a big, blue Oldsmobile. I was told to hop in the passenger seat. I didn't know this man and as he drove, he didn't say anything. When we finally arrived at a lovely ranch-style house, I stepped out of the car. As I strode up the long driveway with my Raggedy Ann doll clutched tightly under one arm, there she was! She looked stunning in her breezy summer dress - hair shining silver in the sunlight. I will never forget how warmly she welcomed me and how very excited she was.

"Oh, darn it! I have to use the sandbox again!" she squealed. "I've been so anxious to meet you that I just keep having to go again and again!"

As this woman scurried about, I watched her and soon felt more at ease. Within no time, we were all back in the car and traveling to Lake Simcoe where we spent the weekend - swimming, boating and eating food I'd never seen before. I had such a wonderful time and once back with the Taft's, couldn't wait

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