I was a stranger and you took me in!

[gopiscrap]

Last edited Sat Feb 3, 2018, 11:13 PM - Edit history (1)

My Foster mom passed away today

we often talk about Christian values because of and in response to the right wing "Christian" voters.
My foster mom was a real Christian and model to me. Her and her husband took me in just when her last child left home. I was a teen age boy (15) and teen age boys are hard to place in the foster system. My dad had died and my mom had a stroke, and was incapacitated til she passed away a few years later.

They took me in and made me a part of their family, teaching me their family history yet still encouraing me honor my original history and to affirm my German roots as an immigrant and the child of a refugee.

She taught me the art and gift of hospitality towards others, instilled in me a love of good sacred choral music and liturgy.

I wil miss her lots...well done good and faithful servant

[sinkingfeeling]

1. I'm so sorry for your loss. She was a good person and deserves a

rest in heaven.

[malaise]

2. Deepest sympathy gopiscrap

[JHB]

3. Be at home and be welcomed into this family, and our thoughts are with you on this hard, hard day.

[Scarsdale]

57. Many here share

her values. So fortunate that you were made a member of her family. She passed on her values to you, obviously. So sorry for your loss, but happy you had the chance to be her son for a while.

[spiderpig]

4. I really needed to read this today.

There is hope. Remember Pandora's box.

Thank you for posting, and kind thoughts to you and your mom.

[pintobean]

5. I'm sorry for your loss.

Your story made me think of this song. Maybe it will bring you a little comfort.

[johnmont]

6. foster mom

We need more like her instead if the judgemental Christians who cannot mind their own business.

[Wellstone ruled]

7. Sorry to here of your loss.

Sounds like your new found Family were keepers. Life skills learned are never lost.

[Stuart G]

8. Sorry for your loss.

[MaryMagdaline]

9. So sorry you have lost your foster mother

The loss of two mothers and two fathers must be tough

[canetoad]

10. My sympathy gopiscrap

She sounds like a wonderful person.

[Cha]

11. Your post made me

cry.. it's so poignant.

Sorry for your loss, gopiscrap.

[femmedem]

12. I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for letting us know about her.

May it inspire us all to be our best selves and to love the heroes among us.

[Tatiana]

13. What a moving post.

I'm so sorry for your loss. But I am grateful that you knew the kindness, care and love of a second family. That is a true blessing.

Your foster mom sounds like a wonderful person and I know she will be rewarded in Heaven.

[MustLoveBeagles]

14. I'm so sorry for your loss

She sounded like a wonderful person.

[link:

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[Docreed2003]

15. My deepest condolences...

[BobTheSubgenius]

16. I'm so sorry.

Today has been a horrible day, on a personal, human level. I hope she at least had a good, long life. It was certainly well-lived, so I don't have to wish for that.

[Gothmog]

17. May she rest in peace

[FuzzyRabbit]

18. What a wonderful woman! So sorry for your loss.

[lunatica]

19. Its good to be loved like that

I’m talking about both of your love for each other. I think she might have felt lucky too.

[mia]

20. What a beautiful tribute to your foster mother.

May your memories of her continue to bring you peace and strength.

Well done good and faithful son.

[deurbano]

21. My deepest condolences. Sounds like a wonderful woman with a wonderful son.

[Duppers]

22. For your moms

What a sweet and touching tribute. Your moms did a wonderful job in teaching compassion and empathy.

[irisblue]

23. Your mom

A pearl of great value & price.

[Cryptoad]

24. Big difference in ,,,,,

the Teachings of Christ and those want to make a religion out them


sorry for ur lost,,,,,
hope u are blessed and find comfort!

[bluestarone]

25. so sorry

[Beartracks]

26. She sounds like a beautiful person. May she rest in well-deserved peace.

==============

[AJT]

27. You are a wonderful son.

I am sorry for your loss.

[Ohiogal]

28. I'm so sorry for your loss

What a moving tribute, you sound like an amazing man. I wish there were more like you and you foster mom. Peace.

[MLAA]

29. Sending you ❤️💖💕💞

You had to face great losses as a very young man. I am so glad she and her husband gave you a good home.

[JoeOtterbein]

30. Beautiful! I'm sure she was as proud of you, as you are rightly so proud of her.

[fierywoman]

31. M heart is with you.

[Still In Wisconsin]

32. Clearly, your mom lived her faith.

Now, through you, she lives on. I am sorry for your loss and wish you peace during your time of mourning.

[pnwmom]

33. I am so sorry for your loss, gopiscrap!

May your foster mom rest in peace.

[panader0]

34. A fine tribute. Count yourself lucky for her love.

[MyOwnPeace]

35. Wonderful people they were........

and a great reference in your title.

I'm not going to politicize it, but, just wish some of those people who have been elected to serve our country would read your story - and realize that it is what good people, true Americans, do.

You were blessed - now pass it on.

[jmbar2]

36. She left a precious legacy to the world...

...a compassionate son who transmits her values to others, like us. Thank you for posting, and may you find comfort in your time of grief.

[3catwoman3]

37. I have the greatest of admiration for foster parents

A powerful combination of love and bravery. Thank you for sharing your story. Wishing you peace and serenity.

[rurallib]

38. She certainly lives in your heart and mind

Your post made me cry. People who actually live their beliefs are becoming rare.

Sorry for your loss, but I am so thankful you shared your story with us.

[aikoaiko]

39. My condolences to you and all those who loved her.

I'm glad she was there for you.

You testimony is her memorial.

[busterbrown]

40. Love your tag..

and loved what you wrote.. Can you tell us a little about your life before 15

[gopiscrap]

41. I was born in Germany

and lived in Germany, France and Pakistan before coming to the US. I spoke 5 languages fluently by the time I was 6 and now barely speak and compose Englsih correctly. (I've gotten linguistically lazy) My 2nd father (an American soldier) met my mother after I was born. Original father, was killed in a traffic accident in Frankfurt 2 months before I was born.

My dad married my mom when I was 9 months old. After my birth, I contracted encephalitis and was in the hospital for 5 months. It mesed up my eye sight and equallibrium, and also made me hyper as hell (which turned out to be an asset later in life) When I was 7 my father died because of being shot in Vietnam.

Before he met my mom he had bought a home in Tacoma Washington and it was there that he was planning to bring his family. I shuttled back and forth between Tacoma and Frankfurt as a child. I made my US citizenship at 14. My mom was very sick all her life. Her home was bombed out in Frankfurt by the Allies. In 1943, Hitler believing that the youth were the future of the Third Reich, made all the children in the cities move into the country. My mom walked for 40 some days was sent to an orphanage just inside the Austrian border. There was no transportation and she had to walk in the high snow covered hills. This gave her frostbite and then when pregnant with me, the hormones in her body caused the leg to become gangrenous. She had to have it amputated in the 7th month of pregnancy in order to save my life.

During my growing up years, I learned to sing and sing and SING. I was educated at Roman Catholic Schools and when I was 11, I auditioned with the Vatican Boychoir and made it. I sang in 53 nations during the year I was with them. It was this love of music and liturgy that formed the original bond with my foster mother.

When my mom was sick, I lived by myself for a bit at 15 til the neighbors called DSHS (social services) and one afternoon when I was at school, I was called to the prinicpal's office and a social worker was there to meet me..the gist of the conversation was that I had 48 hours ot find a place to live or be taken in as a ward of the state.

A friend in the youth group, went and told their (my pastor) (Lutheran) and his wife, and that night they came to my door and offered me a home. They lived in my neighborhood, I already knew them a bit and so I accepted....and in walks my life with my foster parents!

[busterbrown]

42. Thank you so Much..What a freaking story.

So filled with sorrow and ending in peace.. Shit! If i were a writer..??? Would be a great piece to share!
live in south Cali..Nothing to do with an entertainment business.. but know a few, who are not very interested in what I say..regarding entertainment... but....I think there's so many positive messages in your story which could be shared!

[gopiscrap]

44. thank you so much

[mia]

48. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Glad that many good people along the way stepped into your life. You have so much to offer by telling your story.

[gopiscrap]

67. How would I do it?

I am not sure that I could be that good at writing. I am going to Europe and Africa in a couple of weeks (singing at a funeral in Eritrea) but after I get back this might be interesting. Sorry for talking so long to respond...it's been a wild busy year for me-Mike

[mia]

68. "I was a stranger and you took me in...."

hooked me into your story-telling ability. Just continue in your own voice about what you have experienced. There is no other story just like yours.

I'm not a writer either, but will always remember the kindnesses shown to me in my life. Those memories keep me going.

[gopiscrap]

69. thanks I am intrigued about writing

maybe not so much my own story totally, but also my family's

[40RatRod]

43. What great parents.

These are the most important words in the bible IMHO.

Matthew 25:35-40 English Standard Version (ESV)
"35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me."’

[gopiscrap]

45. Exactly!!!!

[lostnfound]

46. I am so glad that you had her in your life.

Grief is hard and horrible, but only until we realize that inside of grief is pure gratitude. Sorrow means that we were given something very special.

You honor her by your memories.

[parkerMcDavis]

47. The fact is most Americans are good people just like your foster parents

We should try to remember that.
I’m very sorry for your loss

[gopiscrap]

49. welcome to DU

[Skittles]

50. wow

I have often thought the difference in how people turn out can be traced back to just one person really believing in them.

[tblue37]

51. She sounds like a wonderful person. I'm sorry you have lost her, but I'm glad she

was there when you needed her. She was a blessing in your life. Thank you for sharing her story with us.

[lillypaddle]

52. How lucky both you and she were

to share each other's lives. Sorry for your loss.

[Maraya1969]

53. I'm really sorry for your loss.

[Bavorskoami]

54. well done good and faithful servant

gopiscrap, your last line: "well done good and faithful servant" - from Matthew 25:23. This verse from Matthew is special to me because it comes from the Parable of the Talents depicted in and quoted at the bottom of the stained glass window in my church.

[gopiscrap]

70. Hi sorry for the late response

but where is this...beautiful window!!!

[Raine]

55. Beautiful loving tribute to her

I know that she's so proud of you..

[TxDemChem]

56. Sounds like she was a wonderful woman

I’m very sorry for your loss

[Ilsa]

58. I am so sorry for your loss.

Your foster mom sounds like someone who didn't use Christianity as a label to promote herself. Instead, she practiced Christianity, a big difference. I'm sure she is rejoicing with the Lord in heaven, and keeping an eye over you.

[lark]

59. So sorry for your major loss.

Your foster mom sounds like she had such good values and was a loving person.

[sweetroxie]

60. That's a huge loss.

I'm so sorry.

[UpInArms]

61. I am so very sorry for your loss

[RandomAccess]

62. What a wonderful tribute. I am so sorry for your loss but

so glad you had her, and your foster dad.

Hugs to you.

[Squinch]

63. I'm glad you found her. So sorry for your loss.

[northoftheborder]

64. Thank you for this beautiful true story of your life.

It was heartbreaking, but ultimately lovely. What a testamentary for your wonderful mother.

[bronxiteforever]

65. Wow! I am sad for you but her love goes on in you.

[GeoWilliam750]

66. Deepest sympathy

The world is less for the loss of a large soul.