Children have always been my and Kevin's greatest inspiration. During the past four years of foster parenting, we have met and had the privilege of spending time with some truly special children. Children continue to amaze us and continue to show us how life is truly meant to be. Children have a zest for life that just charges us up, but we have now also learned that children have an inner strength that leaves us simply amazed.
On April 13th, 1993, we began an ordeal that would show Kevin and I what true inspiration and inner strength really is. On April 13, our 7-year-old foster daughter collapsed at school after having a seizure. After the ambulance rides, tests and doctors meetings, we found ourselves by her bedside in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Hershey Medical Center...this little girl who had been so much a part of our lives for the past year had a brain tumor. In barely enough time to recover from that shock, we learned after the tumor was removed her true prognosis...glioblastoma multiforme. . . .
The world of childhood cancer had suddenly become very real to us, a world we never expected to visit. We spent this past summer dealing with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, radiation sickness, chemo sickness, hair loss, weight loss and dealing with the feeling of our other children as they, and we, tried to understand it all. Many times through it all Kevin and I would just sit and cry and cry. We asked ourselves WHY? WHY? must something like this happen to a child? Why to a little girl who had such a bright future ahead of her? IT JUST WASN'T FAIR!
But through it all, this little girl has been a light in the darkness. She has never asked "WHY ME?". . . She has never said "It's not fair!" This precious child has never wallowed in self pity and has never given up hope. She has taken all her treatments, all the side effects, all the needle pokes, all the pain with nary a complaint. This special child has been the calm in the storm...she has been the rock. This little girl has become a true inspiration...she has become a hero.
Foster children are survivors and it is my hope and prayer that the system works for all foster children. It is my hope and prayer that all of us involved in the system, make choices that are in the best interest of the children. It is my hope and prayer that all foster parents foster to the best of their ability to make this world a better place...one child at a time.
As many of you already know, I have a fondness for songs dealing with children and matter of the heart and I'd like to close with the lyrics of one such song (and no I am not going to sing it this year). Instead, I would like to call my husband Kevin up here as this is our dedication to our foster daughter, our heartfelt love for a special little girl. Hopefully, we can get through this without becoming too emotional!
It must have been cold there in my shadow,
To never have sunlight on your face.
Your were content to let me shine, that's your way
You always walked a step behind.
So, I was the one with all the glory,
While you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name, for so long
A beautiful smile to hide the pain!
It might have appeared to go unnoticed
But I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you!
Did you ever know that you're my hero?
You're everything I wish I could be.
But I can fly higher than an eagle,
For you are the wind beneath my wings.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank God for you. . .
The wind beneath my wings!
Presented by Deanna Rupp
Lancaster County Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
October, 1993
Written by Deanna & Kevin Rupp
©1993, Deanna & Kevin Rupp
Please do not copy or reproduce without permission.
More Speeches presented by Deanna & Kevin!
When the Children Cry - 1994
Why Does the Caged Bird Sing? - 1995
Because You Loved Me - 1996