Renee's Story

My story* is like thousands of other stories of children who have walked this path through our country's foster care system - a path filled with disappointment, abandonment, fear, distrust and rejection. In foster care since age eight, I had seven different foster families. I felt very much alone. I was the foster kid and always felt like "second best." They were labeled "families," but in reality I can never recall feeling like a part of these families.

At age 18, I "aged out" of foster care and was on my own with no guidance and no one who seemed to care. There was one exception - a very special person who treated me with dignity, respect, concern, warmth and finally, love. She was there for me first as my social worker and later as the parent I had longed for during my youth and adolescence. She taught me how to commit to a family relationship and adopted me at age 22.

Children need permanent homes with parents who will show them love. And they need this no matter how old they are. It's never too late. I say it's never too late because at 33, married with two children of my own, I don't know what I would do without my mom. She has helped me get through some of the most difficult times in my adult life. Divorce, moving my family from Florida, the death of an adopted sister and my grandmother, buying a house, having my son, getting remarried, having a close brush with death myself - you need someone, not just anyone, to guide you through these things no matter how old you are.

My mom makes time for our family no matter what is going on. She has a wonderful relationship with my 13-year-old daughter and has played a very important role in helping me guide her down the right path in life. My son is only 11 weeks old, but I know she will be instrumental in steering him in the right direction as well.

I never had that "family" most people had in their younger days and am very grateful I was blessed in my adulthood to have been made part of a committed family. It has made a difference in my life. I don't really know where I would be at this point in my life if I hadn't finally made a "connection" that was permanent. Families are forever.

* Reprinted with permission of the Massachusetts Families for Kids' Speak-Out Team. For more stories like Renee's, contact Massachusetts Families for Kids, 520 Dudley St., Roxbury, MA 02119. Phone: 617-989-9446. Website: www.csrox.org.

This story was originally published June 19, 2006.