Josh

My family and I returned to England to celebrate Christmas and New Year. It had been 10 years since we had spent Christmas with our parents and siblings. Alongwith the festivities I found the trip to be a time of reflection.

The news is currently filled with economic doom and gloom. Jobs are being lost and huge companies are declaring bankruptcy. With all of this going on I enjoyed my time even more sitting and chatting with my parents and catching up with brothers and sisters. Our families are relatively close, keeping in touch with phone calls, letters and emails. However, time spent together is enormously precious.

One morning I was in one of my reflective moments when my kids asked to go to the local park. Heading down the road we bumped into a boy who joined our walk and promptly introduced himself as Josh. Now Josh was quite the sight. The weather was cold and wet and here is a 10 year old boy walking along in a T-shirt with a bright yellow water pistol. He had a bright orange face due to the large bag of Doritos that he was enjoying.

Josh asked where we where from and was surprised when we told him we where visiting from America. I asked Josh where did he live?

"Maureens"

I did not know Maureen and all kinds of questions filled my mind.

"Maureens is the care house at the top of the street"

Ah. A lot of the questions were quickly answered. I asked Josh how long he had lived at Maureens?

"What day is it?"

I told him today was Saturday.

"I've lived at Maureens for 6 days".


My wife and I are registered foster parents in Washington State. I have seen a lot of kids like Josh. During the 2 years we have been fostering we have had 20 kids come through our home for varying lengths of time. I was beginning to wonder if I had a sign on my back advertising the fact that I was a foster parent.

Josh shared his chips with my kids and introduced them to a game of 'tick' with a waterpistol. I saw Josh several times during our visit, walking around the streets and hanging around the corner shop. The day after Christmas (boxing day), Josh was with a group of kids and he was proudly showing off his new bike and helmet.

One thing that fostering has taught my family and I is the value of what we have . Not just material things, but the time that we have together as a family, our ability to enjoy conversations together and share our thoughts, problems and dreams.

I know that Josh has no idea of the impact that he had during our short visit to the park. My children understand the value of the items that they own, but more importantly they appreciate how lucky they are. Each time I see kids like Josh and others that have visited my home, I have concerns for their future and wellbeing. All that we can do is offer them help along the road and wish them well. If only they knew and could understand the effect they have on our lives.

I wonder if my fosterkids introduce themselves and tell people they are living at Bernie's!

Josh, I wish you well and take care....