Goodbyes

So I blogged about what my sister's foster kids have meant to us.  Today they went home to their momma and daddy.  And we are all crying.  It's raining again, despite weather that gave me a sun burn yesterday.  It seems appropriate.  I was doing well today.  I felt good because I was able to help Dot by running and picking up just a few things to home with the kids that she hadn't gotten yet.  Then her little man gave Kolten a kiss--and I lost it.  Kolten won't even remember his very best and first friend.  It was cute this morning.  Little Man got a ball, Kolt took it away and gave it back.  "As if say, play catch with me."  Kolten then would throw the ball and let Little Man chase it.  Then he'd take it back again and throw it.  Then they found something else to do.  It was cute. 
Yesterday we had Kaylyn's 4th Birthday Party.  These cute angles were picked up for their last visit right at the end at the park.  I did well then until Dot told Kaylyn to say good bye to her best friend.  Thankfully I have good friends who were patient with me as I cried.  While Kaylyn and I were walking home from the park, we talked about what was going to happen today.  And Kaylyn and I cried together. 
It's hard.  Most good byes are not really good byes.  But this one might be a very permanat one.  I hope they remember how much we love them.

My sister has had a night to look at the experience she has had this last year.  She said she thought she understood the foster care system until she saw it through to completion.  She says it's about second chance and putting families back together.  She is honored to be part of the process.  I admire my sisters good attitude.  As painful as it has been saying goodbye, she was able to help take care of these kids so their mom could put her life back together.  And now this family gets a second chance to do it right.  We do believe that God put families here for a reason.  What an amazing sister I have.