The Best Christmas Present Ever

I've written about this before.  When my kids were in junior high and high school I was shocked at how many of them were basically on their own.  The parents divorced and mom and/or dad is now preoccupied with one or more of the following:  Gambling, drinking, tweeking, popping pills, new boyfriend, new girlfriend, traveling, spending $ on themselves, and generally shirking the very non-glamours duties of parenthood.

The neglected kids were generally passed to a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or any other relative who could take them in.  Most of the time the extended family members had their own life stuff to deal with and the living arrangement was only temporary. 

That's why I always had a houseful of kids.  I only had two of my own, but on any given night several of them were all sprawled out on the couch, in the spare beds, or on the floor on the air mattresses.  Taking in teens was my little way of trying to do something good for the world.  No, there was not a press release nor recognition.  I received no awards.  There was no park named after me.  It was totally anonymous to the rest of the world. 

I have no idea where some of the kids I fostered over the years have landed.  However, many still come around to this day.   There was one girl in particular, Brie.  She basically lived with us for about 4 years.  Her mother was a complete train wreck and still remains one to this day (long story).  God only knows who her biological father really is.  Brie's grandmother knew Brie's mother was a train wreck and did the best she could considering the exceedingly messed up circumstances. 

Now...some years have passed.  Brie is about to graduate college.  One day out of the blue an elderly lady shows up on our doorstep at Christmas time with a small basket of homemade goodies and this note.  It was one of the best Christmas presents I've ever received.  It was from Brie's grandmother.