May is National Foster Care Month

National Foster Care Month - Change a Lifetime

May is National Foster Care Month – a time to make a lasting difference in a child’s life. There are 513,000 American youth in foster care. No matter how much time you have to give, you can do something positive that will "change a lifetime" for a young person in foster care. For more information on how you can help, please visit www.fostercaremonth.org today.

I have a little something to add to this little May shout out......First I'm completely biased,
in every way you can be biased. This organization represents lifework of my sister -in-law Maria Puglisi ( and I'm sure the love and work of her husband Chris Herles too) and is a piece of the fabric of what she is involved with "to make a difference". That the site looks so beautiful and is so excellent takes my breath.

And I think her work makes incredible differences, and I'm so proud of her fine work. Working on behalf of foster-care....speaks volumes about her, her integrity, her values and her actions. A long-time advocate of actions I ask you to go to this site and see the facts and figures and what we see happening in Foster Care. And then how to be a positive part of reaching out. Some of the numbers, just stop me. You need to read them.

Over my years in California in pockets and areas of poverty I have encountered the serious need there is for safe, dependable, committed families involved in helping young people cope through difficult times in Foster Care. I have taught students removed into care, students living with good families trying to help them cope, and in settings where there was much needed. Simply put, I've seen things.

The most inspiring story I can relate comes from watching the actions and deeds of a former Principal of mine, one I dearly love, who took in a child over his childhood helping to raise him as one of her own with her own two daughters from Foster Care. She believed in doing something, and let this speak for who she was. Because of her care this child had a safety net. One I'd gladly say any of us would jump into, such a lovely woman. He was loved. I watched him playing piano one day and she had noticed ...his seeming to have a gift showing as he picked out very complicated pieces in high school. A time he was struggling...but over visiting our school site. ...and I was listening to a first time player doing a very credible job with Beethoven. You notice things like this. It was amazing to me. And I had to go tell her what she already knew, you don't ignore these talents. This might be an answer for him, a window to his future. When at her home a while later for a meeting, she had purchased a beautiful piano. She was something. Just love in her heart.

You save the world one person at a time. And she was the kind of person that saved children, one day at a time. I loved working for her. No matter what, her bottom line was doing something to make it all work out. And it wasn't easy for her to make the commitment she made to this child, but she did wonderful job. What a human thing it is to try, to go ahead and give something with your heart. To not rationalize doing less. It takes courage to live love. I never forget this. It is not easier. It is something altogether different.
This was an active lexicon example of living who you are. I'll never see, a finer example of how a family grew understandings by caring. By risking for something seated in love.

Sylvia has a friend now, the kindest girl you ever met. A leader in her band. Charming. Her parents are now taking into their home Foster Care babies at risk. Their children are now grown. So they are finding they have the arms to reach out to hold these babies who really need a great deal of care. I know from meeting three of the children over the last year or so they are loved more than anything. Together they go through times of serious need in the children for love, stability, care. The joy their is intoxicating. This family is seated in their religion. They are living their values. They feel this is something they can do. I don't know where they find the energy, but that's so not true either. As I sit and play with their latest child I know exactly where they find the ability to love so much, then give the child the hugs to go out after a time to re-join their homes or go into longer term family placements. They are energized just as I am working with children who need us. It is not a one way street. It is a gift to the giver.

Do you know Al Jarreau? Listen to this lyric I love.....I live it somehow everyday , my anthem, as much as I can...and when that fails me I try to start over again the next day. I think we must, we must teach this to children, teach this to children, teach this....

Random Act Of Love Al Jarreau

Artist: Al Jarreau Album: All I Got Year: 2002

Really touch somebody.
Really, really touch somebody.
With a random act of love.

VERSE: 1
Everything we do with good intent
Won't ever disappear, it only ripples into habit
Ever deep, cause it's no accident
That you and I are here
And you and I were meant to happen

CHORUS
There's one thing, that i know
That's like a gift unto the giver
And that's a random act of love
Everyday find a cause
And let it flow just like a river
Into a random act of love

VERSE: 2
An open heart can change the world we know
Into a loving place
Reviving everything that's givin in it
Every spark, another chance to grow
Let love illuminate
The place where light is dimming

CHORUS
There's one thing, that I know
That's like a gift unto the giver
And that's a random act of love
Everyday find a cause
And let it flow just like a river
Into a random act of love

VERSE 3
One simple thing,
can really touch somebody
Make somebody smile inside
What joy it brings,
to really touch somebody
Love's a win-win heart reliever,
As good for the giver as it is the receiver.
Really touch somebody with a random act of love
Really touch somebody with a random act of love

CHORUS X 2
Just one thing I know,
That's a gift to the giver
Just one thing I know,
Just, let it flow like a river
Just one thing I know,
Making life even better
One thing that I know,
That's a Random Act of Love

Go listen to this Album. It was the best he has done. Open your heart to another.
Maybe you are meant to do this, maybe?

I could tell you the sad stories..but to set the month of May off to the very best of starts let's flow with the river....promote this notion of Foster Care. Celebrate those that do this work, join them in finding a way to help our young people. This matters...this is the future...this makes the difference we are here to achieve.

Bravo Maria!