The Unwanted...

First, I apologize if this is a bit too "heavy". This is one of those nights when I just need to talk to talk.

My oldest has this friend who has been through more levels of Hell than Dante even imagined there could be. He and his cousin stayed the night a couple of weeks ago. Now, whenever a kid comes into my house, they are MY kids for the duration. That's just how I am.

While they were here, we went for walks, made Smores, had some family time, and made breakfast together as a family the next day. This kid was quiet and reserved. He stuck with Christian for the most part. I am one that you let the kid come to you, on their terms.

This kid had his birthday over the weekend. Big Bear got to go for the party. Tonight, he pulled me aside and told me that his friend was extremely disappointed that I wasn't there. The kid kept looking for me to show up. This young man was a bit more withdrawn from me when he visited, so I kept my distance. I was a bit surprised to hear Big Bear tell me this.

I did write him a letter, apologizing for my not being there, and wishing him all of the best for the following year. I told him what I wished someone had told me when I turned 17.

I'm ot going to go into his history because that's his story to tell. He though, like so many others, were "unwanteds." In other words, they were someone else's unexpected blessings. They just didn't get to the family they were meant for.

I truly believe that as human beings, it is our responsibility to take these kids in, when they cross our paths. Take them into our hearts, and our lives. At the same time, I also know that I can't fix every broken heart that comes across my path. I learned that with Marie, Brandie, and Valerie. It's a lesson I have to keep learning, apparently. But this one.... At the time, he kept himself at a distance, yet he seems to want to be in our hearts; in our lives. I just didn't see it.

I think that I'm going to invite the boys over for the weekend. Now that I know this kid actually WANTS to be reached out to, it's my job to reach out. He's a good kid, and he's in a great family now. I am so glad for that. He's got so much healing to do. I wouldn't mind our family being a part of that.

Anyway, one day, each of my readers is going to have the opportunity to reach out to an "unwanted." Each of you will have the chance to turn an unwanted into an unexpected blessing. The universe will deliver onto your doorstep somebody that needs you. They may need you for an hour, or for a lifetime. When it happens though, recognize it for what it is. Open your heart, your soul, your life to this person.  If every person offers love to another at every opportunity that they're given, the impact that will be made will be major. You will have the opportunity to change a person's life. Don't pass it up, please.

The first time Valerie was here, and left us, both my husband and I agreed never again. My heart was so broken when that baby left. The fighting and the stress in the house was so high, it physically made me ill. It wore on our marriage as well. I think deep down though, we both knew that if it happened that she, or another, wound up on our doorstep, we'd take the risk all over again. I don't know how not to.