Fostering Hopeনমুনা

THE PROTECTOR

The October sky was blue, but there was certainly a chill in the air. His small frame, covered with a thin, long-sleeve t-shirt, didn't offer much of a barrier against the breeze. He sat on the steps of his home, trying to figure out what to do. At 6, he was the caretaker of his 3 and 2 year old siblings. He got them up in the mornings and fixed them breakfast - had an old burn stripe on his finger from touching the hot coils of the toaster. He knew how to make macaroni and cheese, and how to microwave soup and fix sandwiches. He made sure their noses were wiped, and he changed his little sisters' diapers the best he could. And he tucked them into bed at night. All the while his mom spent most of the day either passed out on the couch or away from the house, looking for her next fix. Most of the time he didn't mind helping. He knew his mom had a lot she was struggling with, and he wanted to make it as easy on her as he could. He loved her very much, and as he shivered against the wind, his mind wandered back to days when she read him stories and gave him big hugs. When it seemed like she loved him. He hadn't gotten that kind of attention for at least a couple of years. And his siblings never had, except from him.

That thought snapped him back to the reality of the porch. He tried the door again, but it was still locked. His mom had woken up in a bad mood and was screaming and throwing things at his little brother. When he intervened, his mom had dragged him out on the front porch and locked the door. He began to walk down the street, slowly at first, but then with increasing confidence, toward the fire station a block away. 'Can you help me sir? My sister and brother are in danger, and it's my job to protect them. Can you help me? We need a better life than this. There has to be something better.' Courage is found in many different places. Sometimes it is packaged in the small body of a 6 year old. What about you? Will you be courageous?