Kelli and Trina - Fostering and the Next Generation

I've always liked the story of the child who, on seeing millions of starfish beached on the sand as the tide was going out, started throwing them back into the water. When a parent suggested that the child could not save them all and asked what difference it would make, the child tossed another one in and  replied "Made a difference to THAT one!"

I recently met a couple (young Gen-Xs) who have certainly made a difference to some starfish, and whose story might encourage others.

First thing to note is that Kelli and Trina clearly have a loving and stable relationship, and both have strong family foundations.

After ten years together, and some fun-filled years, this couple started thinking of ways that they could add more substance to their life together and thoughts of children came into focus.

During the ensuing discovery journey, they both recognised the huge need for foster carers, and that it was something they could do something about.

After conversations with close friends and family, they made some enquiries at an agency that handles some of the most challenging cases, and now, about five years later, they have opened their hearts and home to three children. Currently, Kelli and Trina are full time foster carers for a nearly 14-year-old girl, something that they actually love to do!

Kelli works in the emergency services area and has been exposed in her work to children who require protection, and Trina has a background in early childhood education. They don't see their fostering as an alternative to having their own children. "We just love that we are helping a girl to develop into a young woman who will be able to make empowered and positive decisions as an adult," Kelli told me.

Trina asserts that you don’t have to be super to be a foster carer, even if that is the perception. “The children don’t judge you and don’t care, just that their needs are being met.”

And both these remarkable women acknowledge that their fostering experience so far has added a new dimension to their relationship and that they see each other through a different and exciting prism.

More information about fostering in NSW:  Fostering NSW or ACWA

or check out Fostering NSW on facebook

New Beginnings

So, as previously warned, this blogsite has taken an significant turn... It's no longer the ramblings of a late (read young) baby boomer living in the convergence of Gen X and Gen Y and now contributing to the yet to be named baby boomers of 2000 - 2010.

After a few challenges, Kaelyn came home from hospital and her mum is well on the way to recovery from what turned out to be pre-eclampsia. That really messes with you, but she is improving every day and kaelyn is blooming.

And so the generation spread of influence represented on this blogsite stetches to another level. One of the best things about living and loving and being multi-generational is that there are new beginnings every day... for one of us or another!

Not Long to Go Now

As I write this post, I find myself contemplating convergence... of new life coming and another ending.

Much of what drives the content of this site is the convergence of generations - the boomers, the gen Xers and gen Y.

As we wait in anticipation of our baby girl, my mum is dying. How more convergent do the generations get?

There is much to look forward to.

Note to Self: Stop Thinking About It

Note to self:

You are preparing for a baby to arrive into your life and into your world. Get used to the fact that it is a world that is almost beyond recognition of the babies born twenty years ago!

We are shopping for baby gear online and bidding for some items on eBay. We know everything there is to know about how this baby is developing. We get and receive daily reports via email and Internet. We have access to a knowledge base that is beyond what we could have conceived twenty years ago (pardon the pun).

We will be "mature parents" though not necessarily the oldest in our pre-natal class. We will be savvy parents - savvy about the technology, the attitudes and the new world - and savvier than many.

Action:

Just go with it. Act as if it's been like this all your life. It's the only sensible thing for Boomer-Gen-X expectant couple can do... and stop thinking about how much everything has changed in twenty years. Celebrate the moment. Hang on and enjoy the ride. Thank God for the opportunity to live the adventure (previous post)

Crikey: Life's an Adventure

The deaths of wildlife warrior Steve Irwin on Monday Sep 4, and then motor racing hero Peter Brock in quick succession on Friday September 8 has given many of us pause to reflect.

Both were men of renown, with Brock, the stuff of legend in the Australian car racing scene over three decades, and Irwin the cocodile hunter having established fame on a world stage.

Like many Australians, I mourn their deaths - both sudden and unexpected, though both somewhat predictable in hind-sight. "Death by mis-adventure" is what will probably appear on their death certificates. "Life lived as an adventure," I would also like to think.

There are so many elements and so much has been recorded about the lives of Steve Irwin and Peter Brock, so my own contribution to the musings is modest. I simply acknowledge that they gave so many people hope.

They successfully tapped into and effectively influenced multi-generations - Brock, a War baby in his sixties, had a legion of fans across Boomers, Gen X and even Gen Ys. Steve Irwin had universal appeal across generations, across cultures and across the globe. Both brought messages of value to millions. Messages of passion, safety and the environment.

We all feel a little sad, and sympathetic towards those closest to these remarkable Australians. In time, we can see them as figures who helped shape or define our world and maybe even who we are or aspire to be like.

Mostly, I hope it gives us another reminder to be glad of our God-given time, that even our heroes are fallible and our human condition is frail, so we should all make the most of our time, our skills and our gifts - and inspire others to do the same.

Crikey, Steve and Brocky sure did!

Miracles in Edgely ND

After the school reunion in Iowa City, our next port of call was Edgely, North Dakota. Not heard of it? It's just a few miles from Ellendale, and pretty much at the centre of Mid-west Hometown, USA.

Our mission: real-time hugs with our dear friend (and Gen-X) Michelle, finally meet her wonderful husband Clete and stay in touch with the delightful darling Summer.

Earlier this year, in April, Michelle was involved in a serious auto accident. Doctors in Fargo assessed the impact of her spinal injuries as "unlikely to walk again." After her first round of surgery, they told Clete it was even worse than they initially thought.

Fast forward to August 14, and, on our arrival at their beautiful farm, who should be walking up to the front door, beamimg and glowing with vitality? Our Michelle, body-braced and crutches, but positively gleaming.

Miracle you might say? What is the miracle? Michelle regaining feelings, muscle tone and the ability to dispense with her wheel chair despite a seriously damaged spinal chord? Well maybe. God does amazing things, and sometimes He makes us recover from physical injuries and confounds medical science. I'm told these sorts of miracles happen in hospitals every day.

Here are the miracles I saw in Edgely ND:

Indomitable God-given spirit in a wonderful woman; Unbridled joy as old and dear friends reconnect; A home where love is clearly overcoming pain and adversity; A proud family coping with huge challenges and dealing with them one day at a time; A community collectively embracing a family with love and compassion; and friends, artisans, craftsmen, teachers and business people of Edgely and the surrounding district rallying around and sensitively giving this family room to breathe and space to recover - body, soul and spirit.

Michelle is an extraordinary woman. She has achieved extraordinary things and has truly let her light shine. And her recovery, still with a way to go yet, is miraculous. The miracles of love continue to ripple all over the district.

Filled with admiration for her work and determination, I told her as we left that my heart was singing with joy for her recovery, while weeping with the grief of parting again, at least until we see you again in Australia.

Hugs, laughs, tears, joy, quality talk and fond fare-wells. Without doubt, there are miracles in Edgely ND. God bless you all.

Great Expectations

I am today thrilled to report that Martha and Tom are about to move into a new market segment and expect a baby on or about Jan 4.

Our lives are blessed in so many ways and we look forward to receiving this latest gift from God with joy. So far, Martha is doing brilliantly, and we pray for her continued good health and safety.

We now reserve the right to engage in baby-related conversations at any time with anyone, and use pregnancy and baby analogies in any or all of our communications.

Without doubt, this news will change the flavour and content of this blogsite forever. It is yet another example of our Boomer / Gen X partnership.

I work in the tech sector, I live straddling market sectors, I love across the whole range.

Comments, suggestions ideas are welcome.

Expectation can move mountains

A friend of mine recently commented, off this blog, on the miners in Beaconsfield (see earlier post Miracle Rescue, Miracle Information) and described the situation in terms of the expectancy surrounding it.

For over a week now, families and friends, rescuers and supporters, local and global communities, and especially media crews have developed some major expectations of seeing miners Todd Russell and Brant Webb come up through the now famous gates of the mine. News updates have been continuous. Here's the latest on NineMSN.

Unavoidable speculation and anticipation about when they would be freed has led to frustration and disappointment.

These mining communities seem to be pretty canny though.

These people seem to understand that things will happen in their own time and order. Somehow there is a great wisdom in accepting that you can't go rushing the disturbance of the Earth. Even if you can, you must not, regardless of the expectations and the enthusiasm to re-unite these men wit their loved ones.

So since the discovery of the miracle of their survival, more than a week has gone by. A week of expectancy that soon they would be rescued. Several times we've thought it would be today, or tomorrow morning, or it will take about 24 hours to get them, no 48 hours... I wonder how it must feel for the actual miners doing the drilling, blasting and digging?... and for Todd and Brant who by now must have built up some huge expectations of being with their families... soon.

Along with the miracle of their survival, and their eventual rescue, we are witnessing a great example of the miracle of our information age and an indomitable spirit of expectancy. Some of the best things happen out of expectancy, and it's a powerful force.

Some people wait a whole lifetime for their beloved football team to win a premiership.

Despite the lack of precise information about when, we can stay as informed about the progress of this miracle rescue as we want, because it WILL happen. To anyone feeling jaded by it all, think of the jubilation and joy that will be experienced when it does happen.

Keep the faith. Sydney Swans eventually won a premiership, and Todd and Brant will be out... safely and soon enough.

Miracle Rescue, Miracle Information

As a miracle rescue unfolds in Beaconsfield, Tasmania, spare a thought not only of the two men who at this stage are believed to be in good condition, but also for the community for whom this calamity has been their focus for five days.

Clinging to the remotest hope that the miners could be found alive, family, friends, colleagues, rescue service people and everyone linked to this mining town community have desperately held out for any news.

Even as rocks are being removed and rescuers inch closer to the surviving miners, the community craves news, reports and updates - information.

Letting people know and ending the anguish is almost as important as rescuing the men.

The miracle is not just in their survival and rescue. It's also in the spirit of a community, joined by millions via information channels.

We will, no doubt, be deluged in media coverage of this miracle. Squillions of hits on websites will follow. And is it not about time we all had a news story to celebrate and give thanks for?

God bless the survivors, the rescuers and the global community now linked by this story... and thanks for the fact that we will have all the information we want about this miracle.