Sometimes, we need a little reminder of how beautiful the world around us is. We know the beauty and goodness is out there but during the rush hours of routine and work, nobody is really able to see where exactly that all is. It’s a little bit like when people on their holiday start to “wow” the beauty of a blue sky, silky clouds, warm rain showers and starry nights. It has been there every day of their lives. And yet, people seem to need a special time to make time to see and realize all those wonderful things around them.
Despite that I am no exception. Just recently, my life has given me a wonderful gift by letting me have a step-sister. It wasn’t my first time in a foster home, but this one was a mean punch below the belt. Out of all, nearly 30 children living there, only 2 – a brother and a sister – who do not have parents because they passed away. Perhaps you are wondering, where are the parents of all the other children? That was at least the first thing I asked. Well, they had been taken from home by the state law because their parents were drug users, abusers or alcoholics.
What:
Skirt: Hand-made.
Shoes: Miss Sixty.
Blouse: Lindex.
Jewelry: facebook “Papuošalų galerija”, Silver City.
The care-taker told us that this institution is not a temporary home, but a place to which they come to live after they have spent a year or so in a temporary care-taking institution. During this primary period the social workers together with psychologists and care-takers spent a year trying to help the family solve its problems and to integrate the children back. They are brought to the permanent foster home if it turns out to be impossible to integrate the children back because the parents refuse and make no effort to change their lifestyles, which, as you have probably already guessed is not a rare case at all.
When: 1st of June, 2012.
I am totally in love with the little girl. Her name is Lukrecija. Since I met her, I cannot get her out of my head. My parents didn’t adopt her fully, but they became her god-parents which means that by the laws of the country they partly become care-takers. The little girl is a miracle to me. Despite the fact that she is just 5 years old and as many children her age, she is very energetic and playful but she has one very distinguishing feature – she has the eyes of an old man. And before she gets comfortable in the environment her look is deep, suspicious, investigative. On our first meeting, she scanned me from head to toe, specially my eyes. And at the same day, she asked me if I wouldn’t mind her to sit on my lap…
Who: Pictures taken by Darius Kavaliauskas. Special thanks to: Jurga Girdzijauskaitė.
Leaving the place is always a heart tearing experience. And as we drive away, I cannot help but wonder – how come so many children are left alone? The care-taker told us that in European region, as far as she knows, there are countries that have very few or almost no foster homes. She said that in some cultures, when the parents die or seem unable to take care of their own children, the extended family gathers to a special meeting and consider all the options that are available. And they do not leave the meeting until a decision is made with whom will the children will live from now on. The family that decided to raise the children adopts them and everyone lives happily ever after.
Where: Pilaitė, Vilnius, Lithuania.
And they are all really lovely, cute, super fun and healthy children. They want games, laughter, candies and fun. At first the instinct of giving makes you buy toys , sweets and entertainment. But it takes just a few visits to understand that they’ve got all that. They have toys and dolls, and computers. The thing that they do not have, is touch, physical contact, eye contact, individual undivided attention. And its a matter of playing with them, doing things together. When those children are around me, it inevitably changes me and my points of view irreversibly. It makes me see how really much I have and how great my life actually is.
If you’ve ever considered visiting a child care home but never found courage or opportunity to do that – I strongly recommend you google it up right now without any hesitation. Think of educative games that you could share and go visit. I promise you are going to have a great time and see your life from a totally different perspective. And let me know how it all went. 🙂
Your truly and lovingly,
Vaiva K.
beautiful blog post! Really liked it alot. 🙂
That’s wonderful to hear! thanks 🙂
I have had an experience like you mentioned. Somehow there was also a child that wouldn’t leave my mind. This child will always be special to me, even if we never see each other again.
This post really touched me, from beginning to end. God bless you for sharing it with the world. I hope more people see this, because from just visiting you do realize that what they need is not the physical things, but the emotional experiences, the loving touch, the loving voice, the loving interaction, and the loving gaze.
Love & Peace,
~Tinkerbell
Thank you for saying this and I am greateful that there are people like you, with their heart open, who understand.
Tinkerbell, you are a one giant sunny beam 🙂
Wow, thank you! =) I’m grateful for the light that you share and that you can also see mine.
Love & magical kisses,
~Tinkerbell
You are gorgeous! I used to volunteer in a center for kids and I fell inlove with every one of those kids! I can’t wait to finish my finals to come back! I wish I could’ve adopted at least one! Maybe one day,I will! Lovely blog!
thanks a lot! 🙂 More posts in progress so please, stay tuned ;))
Yeah, exactly my feelings, wish I could adopt at least one and yet better – to help find a home for each one of them. By the way,yesterday we took two kids a brother and sister (the girl mentioned in my last post) for a long weekend for the first time. It has been a long day yesterday 😉 But our house is still standing so I believe we will manage all through the weekend. 😉
Good luck!Kids are a lot of fun! 🙂
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