As a mother, it amazes me how someone can conceive a child, have it grow inside them for 9 months, feel it squirm, kick and wiggle, birth that child, be there for it's first breath and cry,meet it's first loving stare, recieve it's first smile...cuddle, swaddle and kiss it's tiny cheeks....then turn around and abandon, abuse or neglect that tiny, dependant and trusting child.

No parent is without error. I certainly understand that. Many, if not most parents will regret some decisions, reactions, or behaviours they have made or portrayed in the rearing of their children; I know I have my fair share. However, I see many sad stories on the news, and witness some first hand on a daily basis that make me want to tear up...and I have. I have met children as young as 2 1/2 introverted, sad, withdrawn. Children who should be playing 'Airplane' with their Daddies and "Guess How Much I Love You' with their Mommies; yet soaking up any opportunity to receive a hug, a touch to their cheek, or hear the words 'You matter!'; even if those words come from a complete stranger.

There are many obsticles facing some parents today. I try to take into account that many poor parenting behaviors or decisions can be a direct result of the parenting or circumstances they received/endured when they were young. I do feel for many parents who struggle daily to simply be the parent they want to be. Parents who try to change, and have the courage and humbleness to say to their tiny children, "I'm Sorry'. Even the best parents you find today need to humble themselves on occasion. We all need improvement. But I struggle to find empathy for those parents out there that don't seem to care that their children have been taken away from them, split up and placed in numerous foster care homes. Parents who are given 2nd, 3rd and even 4rth chances yet don't participate in rectifying the situation; fly in and out of their childrens lives as if they were nothing more than an 'obligation, leaving their children to live in uncertainty, feel alone and unloved. I question why these parents won't simply do their children a favor and turn over their parenting rights so other families can nurture, love and adopt these wee ones into their families. Then again; there are already far too many children seeking a loving home.

It saddens me. And what cuts right to the heart is that many of these children are so forgiving! Many adore their parents and see them as superstars. They excitedly look forward to the visits; regardless of how short or cold they may be. Regardless if their tiny hearts get broken time after time after time again. That is Mommy and Daddy afterall! How precious is a child's love.

Still there are some children who do not know who their parents are, almost as if they have never met them, or do not care to. Those children, in some ways, can be considered the ones most blessed I suppose.

My hope for any child, is to know what it feels like to be loved, even if for just one minute. Everyone deserves to feel they have been loved, don't you agree? That can not be too much to ask. I ask you then ...will you hug a child today? Will you lend a smile or caress a cheek? Will you say to a little one who feels out of place in this world, "You matter!"?

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