A Major Life Change

Today I began a huge life change.  I have been a foster parent for 38 years, most of my adult years.  So many kiddos in and out that I can't even keep track.  Some have stayed for a long time others were short timers.   Today, I notified the court that I would be unavailable as a foster parent in 30 days.  I have been caring for many mentally ill children for the past 20 years and the strain has worn me down. It is time.  (Some might say past time)
I came from court and cried most of the way home.  Was it relief, regret, or worry for my one remaining kiddo?  Probably some of these reasons and more...  So this evening I drug out the photo albums and reviewed  my life and times as a foster parent.

On the right is our first foster child in 1974...  Today she is 49 years old.   Can you believe someone let us parent her.  We were just children!

I prayed every day that that I could be a positive difference in the lives of these children.
I pray today that I was that difference.


It is time. 
I'm getting ready to begin the next chapter in my life.  Today I became the short timer.