Almost without fail, when we have kids placed with us their birthday follows within a week. It makes it difficult to plan much for a day that we want to be so full of joy for them.
Bella had her birthday this week, and although we didn’t have much time to plan, she was clearly overjoyed at the celebration.
Since she hasn’t had time to make friends here yet, we went to our agency’s foster parent support meeting that night so that everyone could sing to her and make a big to do about her birthday. She didn’t know quite what to do when everyone started singing, but she was so tickled.
Birthdays are hard for kids who are in foster care, and it was no different for Bella. We tried calling her mom and dad several times that day and no one answered. Bedtime was so difficult for her, I just laid with her until she fell asleep. But even though it was hard, I think she’ll be able to look back at this birthday with some happy memories, knowing she was loved and celebrated even though she wasn’t home.
Y'all never cease to amaze me...
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Bella!!! It's so funny how foster care can make you both happy and sad for a child at the same time.
ReplyDeleteWe've had the opposite problem...our kids always leave before their birthday, so then I worry and worry about them not having anyone celebrate for them. As a matter of fact, if things keep going the way they are now with the two we have, they will go him probably a week or two shy of Baby's first birthday!
I love planning birthday parties! Even small impromptu ones. :)
Happy Birthday to Bella!!!!
ReplyDeleteSeeing pictures of that sweet little girl breaks my heart. So glad she has you even if it is for a short time. :)
I do think this will be a happy birthday to remember. I know that when I think of my early birthdays it wasn't the gifts or cake or decorations that I remember, it's really the feeling that I had people that cared around me, and I am sure she will sense that feeling regardless of the details.
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