Another thing...

I have had children in my care before who were guests of the foster care system.

This year I have a couple of them.

Evan is in K. Another adorable little guy.
His older brother Logan is in 2nd grade.
They just joined our happy group.

They haven't been away from their family before, everything is new to them.
They're nice boys. The other kids have made them feel welcome. Alex and Logan are in the same class. Alex brought Logan to me the first day and introduced us to each other.

"This is Susan," he said to Logan.
Turning to me, he said, "And this is my new best friend. Logan."
Big smile.
"Now shake hands," he instructed us.

I solemnly shook Logan's hand, asked Alex to show him where the baskets were and they were off.

Colin brought Evan to me. He's been helping with the K classes at pickup time, escorting them out to the pick up area or to me in Stevie's and now Evan's case.

They have fit in pretty well, joining the games and LEGO building and art projects just like everyone else. I really haven't seen any issues.

But this afternoon while we were playing outside, I noticed that Evan's shoes were on the wrong feet.

I told him, "Hey Evan, your shoes are on the wrong feet."

He looked down at them. Stood up a little straighter. Met my gaze.
"I like them this way," he said, firmly.

"Okay," I told him. And left it alone.

To a little guy who has no control over anything in his life, wearing his shoes his way may be the only thing he has.

My heart breaks a little to think about the lives of the young people in the foster care system. Their foster mom is very sweet and has had some good things to say about them. They're clean and well cared for and adorable.

But can you imagine what it must be like to be taken from your family and have no say in anything that happens to you or where you go? I am glad that they're at least in the same placement.