I did.
As a child did you ever watch your single mother work 3 jobs just to buy you a pair of tennis shoes?
I did.
As a child did you ever have to lay on the floor because of a gun fight going on between gangs?
I did.
I learned very early in my life what it meant to be wealthy. I watched classmates eat while I went hungry. I watched kids show off their new school clothing as I wore hand-me-downs and off brand shoes. I went to a school in California surrounded by gang involvement. All I wanted to have as a kid was enough money for my family to eat, to have my mom stay home to be with my siblings and I, and to feel safe.
As I grew up, my mother remarried, we had more money, we ate, and we moved to a safer area. I realized that even having a little bit more money did not change what my definition was of wealth.
To me I was always wealthy. I had the love of family and friends. I had teachers who inspired me. My family had friends who reached out and helped. You see my wealth was love. Because even without all the material things, I always had the support and care of people. People who did not judge me for what I didn't have. And got to know me for my character.
As I continue to work with foster youth I strive to present them with conversation, care, and a sense of hope. I let them know that the real value of life is not in monetary value but in the strength of the relationships they acquire through the years. This to me is why I became a social worker.
Always,
Emily
