Riding Free

We received a letter, about a year ago that really stands out in my memory. A caseworker from Children’s Services had written us about a young lady who lived in an area foster home; her foster mother was and had been very ill for some time.

The young lady, who was ten at the time, was very attached to her foster mother and took great strides to attend to her needs. She got her (blood relation) six year old sister ready every morning, got them on the bus, worked hard in school (with a B average in grades), got home, made dinner most nights, helped her sister with her studies and made sure her mom was well cared for.

This young lady had come from a very abusive household and held dear the fact (again, so SO many of us take this for granted) that she was loved and genuinely regarded in a family she did not expect to find. This young lady hoped to go to a summer camp and ride a horse for the first time in her life. I like to think of that young lady riding loose and free that summer camp week, with a heart full of peace, a gladness of the day, a memory of joy that no one can ever erase.