What Makes A Family These Days?
Rachel Sagan
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Blog Post CommentHi Rachel, I'm really encouraged by the ways you're weaving community with family all around the country! The sweet letter from Daisy's mom reminds me the power of gratitude and being acknowledged -- even by people you have never met. I don't have any family living in the United States and time zones makes it difficult for phone calls, but your post inspires me to connect with them in other ways. I think I'll write to my grandmother this week - it's been so long since I've connected with...
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Blog Post CommentRoger, thanks so much for your spot-on post. I’ve been thinking about how we go about starting since the happy hour discussions we’ve been having. It is interesting that each of the three happy hours I’ve attended eventually came around to a deep desire to come together with those who think differently. Perhaps it was the timing of the happy hours so close to the election. It doesn’t matter because those conversations got me thinking more deeply and talking with others. The butterfly effect,...
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Blog Post CommentKrystle Starvis ‍, Dale Dueland ‍, and Nancy McDermott ‍ – Thank you all for the encouragement and reflections on your own stories. They're truly a gift to hear. Krystle – I really appreciate you raising the very important question on the line between self-sacrificial service and guarding your heart. It’s something I’ve been thinking about, too. And I think you’re on to something with the idea that if both people are committed fully to the idea of serving the other above self, I should hope...
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Blog Post CommentThis is very insightful! College has been a very lonely period in my life and I've found it really difficult to make friends, and it's validating to hear that other people feel the same way. I think that you're right; there are solutions to this problem if we care enough to find them and implement them.
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Blog Post CommentThank You Krystal. I appreciate the feedback! What I've learned over the past 20 years is that in order to change the national conversation and mindset around our nation's kids living in foster care we must first see them as worthy. Then we can begin to consider them “our children” and invest in their hopes and dreams for their lives and futures.
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Blog Post CommentI love this SO much!! <3 I was in foster care as a teenager and was in an independent living program for former foster care youth until I was 21. Everything you said really hit the nail on the head.
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Blog Post CommentThank You Ashley! It means so much to me that you find my blog post spot on. I hope we can connect to talk about Re-Envisioning Foster Care in America in the near future.
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Blog Post CommentHello @Judy Cockerton . First I want to commend and than you for your work. While my career was such that serving a foster parent was simply not feasible, I have long supported organizations and individuals who are involved with foster care. My mother grew up in the Montana State Children's home (orphanage) that was closed in the 1970's, so I have been acutely aware my entire life of the trials that children growing up in group homes face. For the past several year, the nonprofit associated...
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Blog Post CommentThank you for this meaningful post. The opposite of loneliness is belonging. I have done quite a bit of research on belonging, and have learned that there are three steps in creating a sense of belonging: Connection frequency - it is not just about a single connection with someone, but a repeated engagement Care - authentic care for the wellbeing of the other person Concern - this goes deeper than care; concern prompts us to check in on people and offer our help and support beyond the casual...