Last night I volunteered at the shelter from 5 pm to 7 am. It is always sobering to be with little kids who don't have homes and find dreams in a tent housed in a large room with five other families. It also makes me forever grateful for what I have and what my kids have. I worked the 5 to 8 pm shift with my good friend, Kate. In our conversation about the families and being there she said to me, "We are so lucky to have the parents that we had."
From my personal experience of working at the shelter, I have realized that the majority of the parents came from troubled or less then ideal family circumstances themselves. Some families have shared their stories of growing up in foster care or having parents that weren't supportive. They all sound like they grew up on the margins and low income. These parents currently at the shelter love their children and are trying to do the best they can. I see it by the way they interact and care for their babies but I also wonder and worry are their kids on the path to homelessness? I don't intend for this blog post to be a policy or a philosphical debate about homelessness. Back to Kate's point. We are lucky to have the parents we have. Why? Because they have given us opportunities and an "easy" life.
A big thank you to my parents for everything. I am not able to say in the same sentence that I and my kids are grateful to have what we have without giving my parents the credit. They provided me with a home, my very own bed to sleep in at night, and food on the table. They provided me safety and security. They valued education and made sure that they did everything in their power to make me strive to do well academically. They have always supported me and encouraged my spirit. They taught me the importance of discipline, responsibility, and respect. They gave me everything in their capabilities to make sure I was loved, supported, and valued. They made sure that I didn't have to worry about finances as a kid or everyday "adult" stresses. They have always welcomed me home anytime I have wanted to be there - post college, post job, and now it looks like we will be moving in with them when we move back to Virginia. They have REALLY listened to my problems and troubles and have given me sound advice and help. They still do all these things today and MORE.
I feel like I won the lottery by having them as parents and it makes me feel lucky (and forever blessed) to call them Mom and Dad.
From my personal experience of working at the shelter, I have realized that the majority of the parents came from troubled or less then ideal family circumstances themselves. Some families have shared their stories of growing up in foster care or having parents that weren't supportive. They all sound like they grew up on the margins and low income. These parents currently at the shelter love their children and are trying to do the best they can. I see it by the way they interact and care for their babies but I also wonder and worry are their kids on the path to homelessness? I don't intend for this blog post to be a policy or a philosphical debate about homelessness. Back to Kate's point. We are lucky to have the parents we have. Why? Because they have given us opportunities and an "easy" life.
A big thank you to my parents for everything. I am not able to say in the same sentence that I and my kids are grateful to have what we have without giving my parents the credit. They provided me with a home, my very own bed to sleep in at night, and food on the table. They provided me safety and security. They valued education and made sure that they did everything in their power to make me strive to do well academically. They have always supported me and encouraged my spirit. They taught me the importance of discipline, responsibility, and respect. They gave me everything in their capabilities to make sure I was loved, supported, and valued. They made sure that I didn't have to worry about finances as a kid or everyday "adult" stresses. They have always welcomed me home anytime I have wanted to be there - post college, post job, and now it looks like we will be moving in with them when we move back to Virginia. They have REALLY listened to my problems and troubles and have given me sound advice and help. They still do all these things today and MORE.
I feel like I won the lottery by having them as parents and it makes me feel lucky (and forever blessed) to call them Mom and Dad.
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