The foster father’s heart broke when his son told the therapist how he did not ask for any of what was happening to him. He was referring to being taken away from the birth family, but this was destined to happen, keeping in mind the circumstances. Yes, the boy did go through a lot of pain and trauma at a young age as he was shifted from home to home and was even forced to attend therapy sessions. All this contributed further to his pain and led to frustration.
He could not be blamed for what he said, as the system globally is shaped by what is decided for you and not by what you want. It’s not just the system but life. He attended an event called ‘Raise a Child ’ in 2015, which took place in Los Angeles, where his journey as a father began. Although he decided to attend the event back then, the man was unsure if a single man could adopt a child. It was his wish.
When he knew the wish could be fulfilled, he felt the happiness he had never felt. It was like a prayer that got answered. He did not waste time thinking and deciding things for the long term, and signed up for classes. His training and the journey officially began at a foster family agency, Penny Lane Centers.
Ronald, the child at age eight, met the man and visited his house for the first time. Although he thought it was the end of his journey of struggles and pain that the little boy had to go through, there was a lot more coming his way despite finding a home. Ronald could only live with his parents for a few years, and later, life was all about finding a new home. This trauma had adversely affected the child’s mental health. Moreover, other than this, when he started school, tough studies and questions got him anxious, one he couldn’t handle. A foster parent, where Ronald lived for some months, once forced him to write the same lines for hours to improve his handwriting.
Such people do not deserve to be called ‘Parents’!
However, through all the habits and behavior Ronald had developed all this time, the man could not leave and become another trauma for the child, knowing he was safe and loved at his place. Three years of going to court repeatedly and through all legal proceedings was the day of adoption!
They had been waiting for this day for a long time, so Ronald was excited and hugged the man tightly when he woke up. They got dressed up in matching suits and left the house. The boy was fearful after what the court had previously done to him, but it was the day of hope.
The judge delivered the statement in a serious tone and flat voice, but it felt like a win for Ronald and the father. They hugged each other with teary eyes. Later, Ronald even said it was his life’s best day.
One week later, they partied with the people they loved. It was a day full of food, giggles, and love in the air. Ronald’s best friend was also invited to the party, to the place he called home. A permanent home!
The highlight of the day was when Ronald was gifted a custom bobblehead. In it, he was dressed as Robin and his father as Batman. The bobblehead’s baseline was that family is forever.
At night, when they finally got rest, the dad-son duo had a beautiful moment when Ronald told his dad it was the second-best day of his life. Father asked, ‘What was the first?’ Ronald replied that it was the day he met him.
It took Ronald a long journey home, but he was happy at the end of the day, and that is all that matters.
