Friday, August 31, 2007

The Ones Left Behind


I was going to post about how the rumor of three days of referrals this month was not bumming me out as much as it usually would. While I was looking for a picture to put at the top I found this. It kind of makes my heart hurt to look at it. It is from a blog of people who visit orphanages in China. The pictures on their site made me think of all of the children who spend their entire childhood in orphanage care. I can't help but think that with what seems like small numbers of referrals being made each month that there have to be children that never have a family.
I know that someday we will travel to China and we will bring back a small girl that we will love and take care of for the rest of our lives. But what about those that never get to go home? What about those who have no one to hold them and protect them when they have a nightmare? Who will be proud of them when they start their first day of school? Who will they turn to when they themselves have children? It makes me so sad to think of the children who will never have a mommy and daddy. I know they are cared for by the nannies or may have a loving foster family but it just isn't the same.
It's even more painful when you think that this isn't just affecting children in China, but throughout the world. Even where we live.

3 comments:

Stacey T. said...

It's a great photo...even if it is sad. If it makes you feel better. Our agency is saying that the CCAA is not referring any less children each year (about 8000 to the US) and that there are over 25,000 dossiers in line....

Anonymous said...

it breaks my heart too carrie. beautiful post btw

danielle

Michelle said...

It really is heartbreaking to think about.
Michelle