by Debbie Campbell

Created on: February 20, 2010

As a foster parent, there are not enough words in the world to explain what I get out of fostering children. But, just a taste of what I feel might explain why I do it.

For the little boy at 3 months of age who lay in a crib with broken bones throughout his body due to a severe beating from his parents, I want to give back. He deserves loving arms to hold him - not those that hurt him. He deserves to learn that the world is a wonderful place and that he belongs in it - not to give him a fear of waking up tomorrow. He deserves to know that he is a true blessing sent down from God and that he deserves the opportunity to grow up and be a wonderful young man. He deserves to be treated with love, compassion, and have a secure, safe home to live in. For this little boy, I do it...

For the little girl at 4 years old that came to my home with an STD from her biological father. She deserves to go through life without being ripped of her innocence and being robbed of her hope. She deserves to feel harmless arms around her, that only want to love and take care of her - to keep her safe and help her to understand that she didn't deserve what happened - to explain to her that it wasn't her fault - to give her the confidence she needs to grow up to be a wonderful young lady. She deserves to be treated with love, compassion, and have a secure, safe home to live in. For this little girl, I do it...

For the child who entered my home full of body lice - sores scabbing over because no one took the time to medicate his body. Ribs showing through the tiny t-shirt he wore due to lack of food. He deserves a better life - someone who will take his tiny body and clean it up - and hold him when it hurts. Comfort him when he cries, feed him when he's hungry. He deserves to live a life like his school friends, without feeling unworthy to have one. For him, I do it...

Their bruises are real - their pain is real - my love is real. From the day they enter my home, I open my arms - offer them all I have - and give them everything I am capable of giving them. I hurt because they hurt, and I love them unconditionally. What do I get out of it?  If only for a moment they were safe, if only for a few days I had an opportunity to let them know they deserve a good life, if only for a day I am able to hold them and show them true love, it is well worth more money than the world can contain.  For these children, I do it...

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