Ding-Dong Kid | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Ding-Dong Kid | Previous Challenge Entry
By Carla Rogers
05/22/13
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“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27 (NIV)

My name is Ralph and I am a Ding-Dong kid. Let me explain.

It is easy to remember something that you can't forget.

Outside, the rain poured; inside, I was an emotional train wreck. The colored flashing lights blinded me, disorienting me to the point that someone had to lead me inside. Inside was just as much confusion. There were so many intimidating strangers some in uniforms, some not. Everyone was asking questions, questions that didn’t make any sense, since no one knew our family. We had just recently moved to the neighborhood, so no one really knew us. In fact, I didn’t realize anyone knew our secrets; secrets our family had been so adept at keeping. Secrets so terrible I tried not to even think about them at all.

I tried to focus more on the cold rain, how it trickled down the window into the blackness. I traced each path and wished I could just melt away into the darkness too.

Not fully comprehending the situation, but still hoping it would go away if I obeyed the strangers, I numbly went through the motions, doing what they told me to do. I knew I was leaving everything I ever knew behind when I started putting all my treasures in a nearby garbage bag, which was the only suitcase in the house. Walking slowly through the heavy rain to the car, I realized my tears were mingling with the rain making me believe I could still maybe hold onto a little piece of manhood by hiding my tears from the world.

Arriving at the new house, someone rang the doorbell, letting the family know that I was there, with only my garbage bag of memories. I am one of the lucky ones. Even though some can’t bring their treasures with them, I didn’t feel lucky. No matter how many times my clothes were washed, I still felt like people could see straight through me to that night, seeing me as trash. Even my treasures of happier times, seemed to turn into worthless memories.

I never liked the term foster child or “the system”, which is why I coined the term Ding-Dong kid.

Even though “the system” is set up to protect kids, it brings about another set of perils. We learn to protect our feelings at an early age, by lashing out at everyone. Of course, this makes our stay at each foster home short. Families can only take so much turmoil before they give up on a kid that isn’t their blood. Only a family that loves you like their own will help you work through the perils of being a Ding-Dong kid.

Being through “the system”, it was the toughest time of my life, but I found my family, who led me to Christ.

Father, let our hearts break for what breaks your heart, the widows and orphans. Give us a heart to help the children in foster care. Let us help them realize that you love them just as they are. Amen.

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