I’d like to share a part of my childhood with you. I grew up with two “moms” and two “dads,” if you can call them that. I’d like to pay a small tribute to the couple who welcomed me into their home and treated me like a member of their own family. And I can’t forget my mother’s courage—she made the hardest decision of her life, knowing it was the best thing for both of us.
My mother has always been there for me—and she still is, actually. My father is a different story, but we’ll talk about that another time. She was 19 and really didn’t have many resources when I was born. She did everything on her own for about five years before coming to the conclusion that she needed help. For several personal reasons, she asked for help.
So I was placed in foster care. The first foster family I lived with was a military family; there were nine of us children from the “DPJ.” Every weekend, from Friday through Sunday evening, I was with Mom. Fortunately, for several reasons, I was only with them for a year. At just six years old, I joined my new foster family, which would change my life forever.
My experience was truly positive compared to that of other young people who went through the same thing. I was treated like a member of their own family; I never lacked for anything—quite the opposite.
Almost twenty years later, these incredibly generous people are still a part of my life and that of my children. I was raised by people full of love who always kept my mom and me in mind throughout it all.
Of course, I had to face several challenges that other young people didn’t have to deal with. I had a somewhat turbulent adolescence, but thanks to my mom, who had the courage to ask for help, and to the people who took me in, I was able to find some stability. As for love, I had plenty! I was surrounded by love throughout my youth, and even today, they’re still there for me.
All this to say that there are positive stories involving the DPJ, and there are also good foster families with good intentions. I realize that not everyone has been so lucky, and I’m deeply grateful to my mother, who fought hard to ensure I had the best foster family possible.