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We were made for relationship.  We were made for family.  We were made to thrive within the security of community.  We were never meant to journey through this life alone.  Yet, so many people find themselves in exactly that position, and nothing can be more terrifying than being alone as a new parent.  Especially when the birth of your child comes in the midst of your own bad decisions. Today’s story comes from Coos Bay, ...

  It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons. ~Johann Schiller The flash of a tattoo could be seen on the inside of his forearm when he turned his hand to dish up the noodles and rice.  He worked with calm efficiency as he greeted each customer with a smile.  He seemed to enjoy his job which consisted solely of serving hungry shoppers a quick lunch.  The tired ...

  She begins the morning conversation with a request, which is her usual practice, “Tell me again about the day I was born.  It was a blizzard…right?”  I  relay the story, as I have done many times in the past, starting with the below zero temperature and blowing snow conditions.  She listens with rapt attention and focuses on every word I say.  She loves to hear about her first breath. If only her homework could ...

California is doing it.What's that, you ask? They're providing state funding to allow foster children to remain in the system until they are 21, and they're offering support to these young adults as they transition from childhood to adulthood. The law passed in 2010, and in some counties, up to 98% of eligible youth are taking part in the program. And it's working. There are real, measurable benefits of extending care and support. Read more ...

We all have the capacity to love. Not just the capacity, but the need to love and to be loved. It is at the heart of what it means to be human. The heart of humanity is designed for love. It cannot function properly without it. Yet, to love at all is risky. When we offer our hearts to something or someone, we also accept the inevitability of loss. There is no greater pain in ...

Forever FamiliesI dreamed about my forever family for a long time.  Where I would live, what my room would look like, what my family would be like.However, getting a new family  meant I would be getting more than just a new set of parents:A new set of family rules and boundaries to follow.A new group of friends.Maybe a new school and a new town.Even a new bedtime or pets! It was a little scary...All the new ...