Say Cheese!!!
Childhood Cancer
Frank Somerville KTVUN· “I can’t stop crying.”
Courtney Thomas posted this.
It’s gone viral.
And when you read what she wrote and look closely at the picture you’re understand why.
Here’s the rest of her post:
If anyone thought there was no hope in our kids and teens you’re wrong.
The SOLE purpose of us putting this sign in our yard today was so kids wouldn’t run to our door and be disappointed (our neighborhood usually gets 300-400 kids).
I looked on our doorbell camera tonight and saw that kids had been stopping at the sign.
We then went outside and found this
The picture doesn’t do it justice, it’s a LOT (of candy).
Seriously… If the parents of anyone who did this sees this, PLEASE tell them how much it means to us and our kiddos.
On the best candy night of the year kids freely and generously shared with strangers and showed so much love and kindness. So amazing
Childhood cancer is something we wish no family ever had to endure, but there is so much love, hope, and support!
—-Courtney Thomas
I hate cancer.
I wish cancer would get cancer and die!
‘I’m your dad forever’: Single foster dad adopts five siblings so they can stay together
WLWT Digital Staff WLWT Digital Staff
HAMILTON COUNTY, Ohio —
Robert Carter, a single foster dad, officially became a father of five on Friday.
Carter adopted siblings Marionna, Makayla, Robert, Giovanni and Kiontae. He said he didn’t want the siblings to be separated.
The new father of five said he knows first hand how it feels to be removed from a biological home and separated from siblings.
When he was 12, Carter went into foster care in Hamilton County, Ohio, and didn’t see some of his younger siblings for years.
He later was granted custody of his younger sister and guardianship of his younger brother once he was emancipated.
Then and now, Carter wanted to make sure families stuck together.
“When permanent custody was awarded to JFS, the five siblings were already placed in three different foster homes,” Adoption Worker Stacey Barton said. “Mr. Carter was the only foster parent willing and able to adopt all of the children. His childhood background has made him aware of the importance of keeping siblings together. He says that he enjoys being their father and that parenting them is easier than he could have ever imagined! His life is busy, with a lot of love, laughter and loudness! I have enjoyed working with him and witnessing the children bond as siblings.”
Carter was fostering the three boys when he and the girls’ foster moms came together so the kids could see each other for the first time in six months.
“I understand how they feel,” Carter said. “I understand what they went through, so it really touched me. I was already thinking about adopting all of the kids but when I saw them crying, I was like, ‘Ok, I’m going to take all five to keep them together.’”
Carter said he feels that taking care of his siblings and being involved in mentoring and volunteering at South Avondale Elementary led him to adopt.
“Making memories to replace a lot of the bad ones.” Carter said. “Every night I talk to them and let them know, ‘I’m your dad forever. I know what it’s like and I’m always here for you.’ Like Marionna. She’s warmed up so much since the beginning. At first, she didn’t like me. She walked in my room last night and said, ‘I just want to say thanks for taking us in and taking care of us when our real mom couldn’t.’ It just really touched me. So just making memories, letting them know I’m here and they never have to go. I’m here for them no matter what.”
Hamilton County experienced a record year in numbers of adoptions in 2019 with 259 children adopted, a 25% increase from 2018.
Kindness
“I am the single mother of four absolutely beautiful little girls. They are 9, 5, 2, and 6 weeks. And things have been particularly rough since my ex left. My truck had a flat I constantly had to air up. The driver side window motor died. And I needed a new alternator belt. The truck was a mess. And we didn’t drive anywhere unless we had to. Well the other day we desperately needed to go to the store. So we loaded up and drove to the Winn Dixie about 9 blocks away. When we got out of the store it was far after dark. And POURING rain. I loaded my kids and groceries into the truck. Tried to crank it…… Nothing. No click. Nothing. One of my girls had accidentally left a light on. My battery was dead. My phone was also disconnected. I have no family to speak of and was on my own. I got out and opened my hood to be sure my battery hadn’t come loose. Nope. I must have asked more than twenty people in the course of two hours for a jump. They all ignored me. Not even a no. Just acted like i didn’t exist. My 5 Year old was melting down. My newborn SCREAMING, my two year old crying she was hungry, and my oldest desperately trying to help. I was bawling and felt like the worst Mom ever. Then I got a knock on the passenger window. An older gentleman (he was 74) with a cane and a bad limp was on the other side of that knock. I opened the door. He handed me a plate of chicken strips and biscuits from the deli and bottles of water. ‘Feed those babies and yourself young lady. I have a tow truck on the way and my wife will be here shortly to take y’all home. ‘Sure enough she arrived followed by the tow truck. Us and our truck were taken home. The next morning the gentleman returned to my house with a mechanic who replaced my battery and alternator and fixed my window. The elderly gentleman then left and did not return. When I asked what I owed the mechanic and if I could make payments he smiled telling me the older man had paid for all of it. He said that the only payment the older man wanted was for me to never give up and keep being an amazing mom. I’ve never cried so hard in my life. Things had been absolutely awful. More so than I care to explain. And without knowing us or our situation this kind man helped us in ways he will never know. What he did revived my faith when I was falling apart. But he wouldn’t even take a hug. I’ll never be able to thank him. But I certainly hope one day I can do what he did for me for someone else.”
Doodlebug
A baby kangaroo was spotted on the side of the road. When he saw the human, he hopped up and held out his arms to be picked up. His rescuer gave him a Teddy bear to hold onto and then took him to an animal rescue center. Weeks later, the orphaned baby, now named “Doodlebug,” still keeps a tight hold on his bear for comfort.
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