Vocabulary

Before the children we foster children leave our home - we try to do something special. Some families we know have cake or a special dinner. I am not much of a baker; instead, we make things to take and keep and to mark their time in foster care with dignity and pride. For most kids this is a photo scrapbook and a DVD movie the Other Mother has made from photos. Recently, we started making "Vocabulary Words".

The night before he returned home to his family, we gave AK his "Vocabulary Words" to study. These are about 10 words that remind us of the child. The words are written on index cards, hole punched and held together on a metal key ring. Just like at school: the vocabulary word is written on one side and the definition or rememberance is on the other. I use scrapbook style stick on letters for the vocabulary word and the definition is handwritten on the other side. Some of AK's included:

FAST: You always have a quick comeback or funny reply. You get the absurdities of life. You make us all laugh.

ROOM: You always included the other children when you played. Your heart had room for more.

ABLE: You see the possibilities and are able to make lemonade out of lemons. You are an optimist.

OUCH: You get it that it stinks to have your feelings hurt. So you are kind to others and a peacemaker during conflicts.

SIT: You were always patient and willing to sit for the long car rides to Vermont.

MAY: You always asked politely for things that didn't always need asking.

OPEN: You kept an open mind to new ideas, new places, new things, new foods, new friends. You are an adventurer of all that is new: a Brave Explorer!

WHY: You were never embarassed or too cool to ask questions about how the world works. You are interested in learning about life!

KIND: There is kindness in all you do. At the Fourth of July Parade when you caught the candy - the first thing you did was share it with the little boy next to you.

Yup. Definitely miss that kid.