Vol. 11, No. 1 • November 2006

Poem

by Alissa, age 16

It all sums up to a lost little child
The fear in her eyes could go on for a mile

The look on the face of confusion and delusion
The dirt on her hands
From falling in the sand

The crying out loud
For the attention that she seeks
But she hears no footsteps coming to her reach

Sitting up slowly, she looks around, slowly putting her head face down

Wiping the tears off her face
She slowly gets up standing in her place

Standing alone, with no one to hold
The abandonment is nothing new
Just another scar to put on her heart

But as she looks up she sees a hand
She sees a face of someone who cares
And all they ask is to grab a hold

But she is scared and does not know what to do
This is something very new
It is up to her on what she decides

No more teary eyes
Or another fall

Alissa received $10 for having her poem published in the online edition of Fostering Perspectives.

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What It Is Like to Live in a Foster Home

by Jamie, age 16

Have you ever wondered what it was like in a foster home? Well, if you have then this essay is for you. In this essay I will tell you how it has been for me so far. In this essay you will read about what I have learned, and the families I have enjoyed so far.

Some of the families I have experienced so far have been filled with amazement. In the one I’m in now we go somewhere every summer, sometimes more than once. During the year we are active in the community with many things, and for this I am thankful. Each one of the homes has taken me in and treated me as if I were one of their own. My foster families have treated me with respect, even though I haven’t always done the same. But I learned this, also. They have always been concerned about me. They always make me aware when I do something wrong and help me correct it. Though I may not always agree with their way of doing so, in the end it is all worth it.

I have learned several things while being in a foster home. I’m just going to name a few of them. One of my problems when I first moved into foster care was my anger. Through guidance I have learned to control it. I don’t get mad often anymore, because I had help to teach me to control it. It is things like this I’m thankful for.

I have also learned many sayings. The one I like most is, “You don’t really know what you have until it's gone.” That is my favorite because there’s not one more true. Out of all the things I have learned that is the best one. Because we as people take advantage of everything. But I have learned that you need to enjoy every minute of life while at the same time not take it for granted. I still take advantage of some things. I also always have someone who I can go to for advice. That’s what I have learned so far.

Now its time to end. I hope you enjoyed it. Though it looks fun, be careful, for looks can be deceiving. It can be fun or it can be a pain. It’s whatever you make it. But you still have a family to help you through. No matter what the problem is, they are there for you. I shall end this with a reminder that, “You don’t know what you have till it's gone.”

Jamie received $10 for having this essay published in the online edition of Fostering Perspectives.

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Allison received $10 for having this drawing and the one below published
in the online edition of Fostering Perspectives.

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Micala received $10 for having this drawing published in the online edition of Fostering Perspectives.

 

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