A Foster Parents Story - Lisa and Greg
"Life is always exciting. There is always something going on, always someone to play with." It should be!
With Lisa rattling off her childrens ages, both foster and birth, exciting may be an understatement; she hesitates
and then says "5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, and 15." Sounds like sizes, not ages of children!
Foster parenting is something they have always wanted to do. Lisa can remember taking a keen interest
in abused and neglected children, often making it a topic for some type of school report. Lisa says for her,
it has been a calling and feels it is that way for many parents.
In deciding that her life should be the "utmost service to God and my fellow man", a journey for Lisa and Greg began
in June 1997 in High River, south of Calgary. They followed the process, had a screening interview, and attended
training, filled out lots of paperwork and then a home study. All the preparation did not prepare them for the two
toddlers who walked through their doorway. Two little girls, 2 and 3 years old, wearing very little, carrying even less,
dirty with head lice came through the door. Lisa can remember the language they used but not appreciating it very much,
they presented many challenges.
A stressful beginning became their most satisfying and rewarding experience. For Lisa, "It was healing for my soul seeing how amazingly
their lives have changed." These two little girls were adopted 23 months later into a "wonderful close knit family, where they're so loved, so lucky."
There have been some 30 placements since and they have not looked back. They feel their job is not to judge but to
help children through challenges. Both feel they see the potential in children to become who they truly are, not what
their circumstances have turned them into.
This can't be done without support. Strong believers in mentorship, Lisa and Greg have formed strong friendships with other
foster parents in their community. They credit other foster parents with understanding the uniqueness of their commitment
and being able to be there when a crisis occurs. Lisa and Greg have attended many hours of training and feel
it has all been beneficial.
For Lisa and Greg, there seems to be lots of time to enjoy the journey of foster care. They are family focused
and believe their situation will not change until the last of their children grows up. Let's hope it's not for a very long time!
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