The thought of being alone, displaced with no job and family, seems only like a story we read in books, but this is the story of thousands of kids. The ones that are abandoned at birth or are in foster homes. While some dream to turn 18 and get all legal rights, it can be a nightmare for others. Managing your life can be tough, having no resources and live alone.
Kids living at foster homes often have to leave when they turn eighteen, and despite all the struggles they faced at such a young age and still survived, they become of no use when they become drug addicts and homeless.
This is the heartwarming story of a man who was fond of children and ran a foster home. The foster home usually had children aged 2 to 11 years old, as the maximum cases were reported of children who were newly born or hadn’t entered their teenage years yet. The thought of taking care of teenagers didn’t cross his mind, as it was not what he had experienced. However, when COVID took over the world, and everything was in chaos, the man received a call.
The call changed his life a lot. A case worker asked if he could care for a seventeen-year-old boy until he turned 18. At first, the man was left confused. Was he even ready to welcome a teenager? He didn’t know how to deal with teenagers. But because, during the pandemic, most people were not willing to adopt children, and there was a shortage of foster parents, he had no option but to say yes to bring good into the child’s life.
Zay soon entered his home and made a special place in his heart.
Zay was quiet and looked nervous. His behavior and expressions made it clear that the boy was disturbed and didn’t want to be here, but circumstances couldn’t be fought against. In all these years, he had lived with seven different families, as it was his seventh placement, so life hasn’t been easy for this angel.
The man tried to make him feel safe, loved, and protected, but his efforts failed when he tried to push him away. All this made sense: Why would a child trust a man he had just met? So, rather than giving up on the boy, the man knew he would be patient and give him time to settle down and heal.
Zay constantly told him stuff for the next few days to keep him away and change his mind, but the man patiently listened. He wanted to stay to protect the boy from any more traumas.
Most foster parents avoid adopting teenagers as they can be hard to handle and are sometimes problematic, but why does no one think of what these children need? A little bit of love and care, that’s all! That is what every being on earth needs, so why not love ourselves?
Soon, the man saw positive changes in Zay. He was seen talking and giggling, whereas previously, he was a boy full of anger and frustration. The boy had finally started to accept the people as his family and the orphanage home as his new safe place. But soon, he would turn 18, and the man was sure the boy would not be let go.
Turning 18 is a thing to be celebrated, and it is undoubtedly not a reason to stress him out after years of finding peace and love. The man has discussed plans with Zay and is staying here for as long as he wants. Even when he decides to move on, the man will fulfill all the responsibilities a father has, from settling him down to teaching him all the skills a person needs for survival.
His eighteenth birthday marked a new start and journey that would be made beautiful. The man has never regretted his decision to adopt a teenager, which might seem harsh, but it is terrific. Teenagers need and deserve homes, too!
