It seems I am to become a Grandmother again. Richard, my aged out of care foster son, is having a baby. They bought the disk of scan shots around on the weekend to share with us. Richard says it’s a boy. I claim a girl and Paul says, “It’s a baby!”
A child in care who suffered much rejection and child abuse, Richard has vowed to be a good father and protector. He has vowed to never leave his child like his parents left him.
It is possible to break the pattern of child abuse but much depends on how community reacts to survivors and the walking wounded. A smile, a head nod, a wave: all small things, yet huge acknowledgements in the eyes of a hurt and frightened individual.
Richard and his girlfriend will get much emotional support from us but their journey toward being excellent parents will be made easier by your smiles, your words of hope and inspiration and your acknowledgement that life can be different. Naturally you cannot smile and shake the hand of the proud father to to be, but you can extend the sentiment to a person on your street, in your apartment block or waiting in line at the shop.
Community breeds safe communities for all. Never underestimate the power of your smile. I have first hand accounts from many people in my counselling room who have gone to sleep pleased that somebody smiled at them. I am eternally grateful to you smilers out there. Thank you. Your smile changes lives.
Wow! Congratulations Richard!
Congrats to you to, darling old grandmother!
lol…I just left a comment for you about Zy’s car fettish and was off to answer your email.
Is this a sign that I am getting old or what!!!! Two grand babies now. Will pass on your congratulations to Richard. He will be tickled pink.
When he was here on the weekend he was sizing up furniture. But….both he and his sister want my lounge. Funny thing is that I bought it specifically for them to sleep on when they first came to live with me full time. I had just moved back to Cairns and beds were in short supply. I needed a lounge so I just bought a ginormous one that would sleep two adults, end to end. It was a good move! Even my most favorite pic of Amelie is taken on the lounge. Not sure if I’m ready to part with my important piece of family history.
Congrats on your new addition! As your kids get older, yes, your kids, you will be continually blessed …..
Congrats to you and Richard! Smile is certainly one of the greatest gifts that doesn’t cost us anything and yet it is rarely given out sometimes. You have just reminded me to smile more.
“Smile at each other, smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other–it doesn’t matter who it is– and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other.” – Mother Teresa
Hi Linda, I hope they take their turns at the blessings though – too many in a year may leave me exhausted…lol.
BK – isn’t funny how we often forget the value of a smile. I adore Mother Theresa. Her words were always so wise.
Hey, Congrats on the new arrival. As you rightly extol the importance of smile in impacting the lives, I step forward happily to share the gift of God to any who would benefit from it. The exchange of plain innocuous smile can spread positive vibrations and generate an environment of serenity & happiness for all of us. And what a wonderful world it would be to live. S.M.I.L.E!!
How wonderful that Richard has been inspired to be a good dad.
Congratulations to you for raising what sounds to be, a wonderful young man, and becoming a second time grandmother.
Congratulations to Richard on heading down the parenthood path.
Smiling at all of you