When I grow up.

This lovely Thursday morning I am participating in The Writer's Workshop hosted by Mama's Losin' It.
She gives 5 prompts, you have to pick one and go with the flow.

In honor of my Mother's 73rd birthday today, I choose number 2.

2.) When I grow up I want to be like...

If I were ever to decide to grow up, I would want to be like my Mom. Although she did not give birth to me, she has always been the best Mother a child could have.

After years of abuse and neglect and general dislike, the woman who actually gave birth to me, signed me over to the care of the state. I feel very fortunate to have come to live with my Foster Mom, Winnie, when I was 15 years old.

She did not have fancy things, a big house or lots of money. She had things no amount of money could buy. The ability to care about others. To put a stranger before herself. She knew what a kid needed to grow up healthy and emotionally strong. She was able to show love and concern even when I was determined to destroy myself. She taught me right from wrong without ever laying a hand on me.

As I got older I began to feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Because my Mom picked me, to be her daughter. And even years later, after we both departed the foster care system, she is still proud to be my Mom. Of all the amazing things my Mom can do, her special ability to be a good mother and provide a stable family home to a girl who had never known one, is her best talent.

I can, without a doubt, say that she saved my life. Were it not for her, I would be dead. So, should choose to actually grow up, I want to be a Foster Parent, just like my Mom. If I can do half as good a job as she did, I will be making the world a better place.