In last issue’s writing contest we asked young people in foster care, “Who are the most important people in your life? How do you maintain connections with them?” Here’s what they had to say.
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First Place
The most important person in my life is my twin sister, Angel. She has always been there whether I would like her to be or not. She always has my best interest at heart. I am currently about to move foster homes due to problems in the house, and Angel has been doing what our social worker hasn’t—she has been looking on adoption sites and has found multiple places. Unfortunately, nothing has worked out yet. But the point I’m trying to make is how much she means to me. We try to maintain a good connection by not saying what comes to mind, and it is very hard when you have to live with each other. We argue a lot, and fight 24/7. But through thick and thin, we have each other’s back. We are sisters by chance and friends by choice. We are each other’s rocks. We might act like we hate each other, but every night we always say we love each other.
Faith (age 14) received $100 for taking top prize in the writing contest.
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Second Place
I was separated from my siblings when each of us was born. None of us stayed together. However, they are the most important thing in the world to me. They have impacted me in so many ways. I am the oldest of six on my mother’s side and the youngest of two on my father’s side. All but one of us on my mother’s side entered foster care . . . .
Just because we have been separated does not mean the love is not there. We still keep in contact through social media and even visit each other. If my siblings were not here, I would not be the person I am today. My oldest brother, the one that came after me, actually goes to my church, so that is how we keep in contact. We are a family, and family never forgets each other. I think about all of my siblings almost every day and I am so grateful for the way things have turned out for all of us. We are all in a loving home and we are doing great things with our lives.
Lennon (age 17) received $50 for taking second prize in the writing contest.
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Third Place
An odd answer to the question would be my social worker, Melanie. . . . I’ve known her since I was either 14 or 15. She introduced me to my parents and even held my hand when I didn’t want to hold it up myself. She’s been with me even when she wasn’t on my case anymore. I look up to her and hope I am a wonderful and caring social worker, just like her. Even once I turn 21, she will still be in my life because she is part of my family. Making these connections and maintaining my relationship with Melanie isn’t about constant communication. It’s about being around when I need her as a friend, support, or guide. My whole relationship with her stays strong with trust and love. And the occasional cup of coffee.
Amber (age 19) received $25 for taking third prize in the writing contest.
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I Keep My Connections Strong
The most important people in my life are my older sister Mackenzie, my older brother Kamryn, and my younger sister Kylie. When it comes to my siblings, I will always remember to keep good memories of them and laugh.
My Mackenzie memories are when I was playing with her two baby boys. One time I was holding one. It was hard because the baby was crying. One day we went to a lake and he was playing in the water and it made me laugh a lot. Kendrick was so happy.
My Kamryn memory is when he and I were playing with Ray the cat. Ray the cat is black and white and he loves to play a lot. Ray got on a box and was trying to eat the box. Kam and I laughed so hard.
My Kylie memory story is when we got together on the trampoline. She makes me laugh a lot and we like to play outside and have so much fun.
These memories are all about laughter and getting together. It doesn’t matter how much older or younger my siblings are, it is about the memories we make.
Kaydin (age 11) received $20 for having their essay published.
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I maintain connections with the people I care about through communication and bonding. I think every relationship should have open communication and strong bonding. If I didn’t talk to the people I care about, then I wonder—do I really care about them? For example, if I didn’t talk to my family, would I really consider them as family? Yes, I know my siblings are blood, but that’s not all that family means. Blood is one thing, but love is another. I have a lot of people who love and care about me. They show their love to me by talking to me no matter what, and I do the same for them. Another way I show them I care about them is by bonding with them. If every time I hung out with the people I cared about and we only did what I wanted to do, they wouldn’t want to hang out with me. I want to make sure we do something we both want to do so we can truly bond.
Sofia (age 11) received $20 for having her essay published.
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Curious about Our Next Writing Contest?
Click here.
