My Support System

I am about to finish up my PRIDE classes this evening, and while reflecting I have been beyond grateful for my life and family. I know I could not take this next step in my journey without the support from them.

"When you go through deep waters, I shall be with you." Isaiah 4 8:2

Much of the class has been reflecting how I was raised, what I would change, keep the same, what I thought was beneficial, what I never understood, what I still don't understand, etc. I have been lucky enough to find many of my parents techniques and ways of raising us to be what I hope to follow. Obviously I am not the same person as they are, so things will be different in approach and verbiage - but the core value to instill is there.

Throughout my life I have always known that I have a uniquely close family. I am proud of that, however at the beginning of this journey it gave me some doubt. I was worried what my family would think about me taking such a different path than them. I made sure to make plenty of comments about how this is okay - to reassure them it was. This was my anxiety of their judgement - not their judgement! My family has been nothing but supportive of my decision and once I was able to recognize that - I've been able to have the excitement, fears, worry, sadness, etc. that all comes with becoming a foster parent.

I returned from vacation yesterday, it was wonderful to see my family and all be together. By the end I realized I do enjoy my time alone; but I can find an outlet for the stress and frustrations I build up in my head. I personally love yoga, at this time I'm on a pause for a few more weeks, but creating a schedule that allows for me to participate in 30 minutes of yoga a day can be my time alone. What I truly acknowledged from this vacation is whatever child I am caring for, throughout whatever time frame will be welcomed, loved and accepted when my family is around. I've always known this but getting closer to my final interview and home visit has just made this journey that much more real and that much closer. I often brought up that this was getting closer and my family had questions. I loved that they were curious what this process meant, wanted to know what I'd be allow to share with them, and were understanding that this will be a learning process, as all parenthood is.

It is only 16 days away from my home visit and interview to become a licensed parent - this brings about many emotions. It is also one week away from back to school professional development and preparing for the 2020 - 2021 school year, which is different than any previous school year. This has my head in many different spaces, but sitting and reflecting on them has helped me to organize and motivate myself to do this! I have been able to text my sister my random thoughts, ask my family for help moving furniture, and just relax knowing that they will help in whatever way they can to help me prepare.

Thank you to my family for being you and loving me for me. I know I can be a safe and loving space for whatever child comes into my home, for whatever period of time; because you are all a constant for me.