November is National Adoption Month and thousands of American teenagers sit in foster homes believing no one cares and guess what, they are right. OK, they don’t care enough. How much is enough? Enough to set aside your selfish ways and do something absolutely crazy. Adopt a teenager. That is how much. Nothing else will do, not your money or a visit at Christmas. Not an expensive present, not a lovely letter. These things are OK but after being moved from home to home and everyone that ever helped them was getting paid it is hard to believe in love. The Beatles believed in love but foster teenagers don’t. It is too painful for them.
Deb and I adopted Mike at age 6. He lives in Worcester so I will try not to embarrass him anymore than any father would. We learned a lot about foster kids from Mike and that made us aware of all the Wills out there. Will become our son legally two days before his 18th birthday, but he was ours the day we met him in 1998 and I have never been the same since. I have more patience than before and I have learned how many young men just want a Mom and a Bad, especially a father at that age. Single parent, sure. Gay? Why not.
So, are you tough enough? Loving enough? Secure enough with who you are? It really takes commitment of that “unreasonable type” that
FAAT CATS helps Foster Teenagers find homes and a life
long lasting marriages are made from. This work is not for sissies. It is not for macho men. It is for those that know they can always do more, do better and have something to offer. If that is you go to www.faatcats.org and get in touch. I can help.
Craig Van Batenburg
