HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1980-12-24, Page 1A FOSTER PARENT RENEWERS HER
FOTO CHILD AT CHRISTMAS,...
By Iolltoa Bland the street. She is the Same age as I, but she You said you were a Brownie, Retno. My Same.age as'nly son, you are inches shorter,
looks older, I clean the house, Retno, among daughter was one. She got tired of it all that and pounds lighter. •
other 'things.- You can't understand 'why' it dancing around the toadstool. You have rig Thank you for your photograph, Retno, ,
would, take me long. I polish floors; you have • choice Someone, probably on another cont- You look so seriol4S and neat. Cati - you
one room and beaten earth, I polish win.. itient, had the prettY thought: "Brownies believe my children dress by choice in frayed
dowS; 3,9n have none. ' round the world. unite. All the world's a jeans and sloppy shoes? You have to be tich,
— ---4. Retnor4o-eni eoking-shabby.
house, where I polish floors and windows.So now you cannot go to school unless you I have tried and failed once again, Retno :land furniture, I feel cross and tired because - .
are a Brownie and have a uniform. - to reach across to you from our safety and . • there is so much ,to clean, I feel hard done by .
that I have this big, comfortable house that 1 . Families often have to sell their furnitnre cPPlence. So much of your life 'I can barely.
have to clean, • • ' to buy the uniforms to keep their -children in understand. So much of ours would be gross
That's not your mother's problem. She school. School is your only hope, Retno. If to tell you about.
doesn't have the frustration of waiting for you can stay there, you can become a I will send you the usual trite phrases, the
the washing'machine service man. She is on teacher, as you would,like to, The money we stilted words a hand across the world, I
-'-- her kn ees, in--the-rivet. --S he- does- -not-vvorry - - -send-you eaCh month pays:for.your fees. Ili cl--- -hope you uncled•stand—_,....... . — ....._._ —
wards, • . • be spoiled - rice does not go bad. She doesn't health is also cared for by the State.
You eat only two bowls of rice:a day. How have to take a plunger to the loo: She has the You pay for every illness, every, drug. •
can you' pictUre a turkey dripping with river; SMall wonder that though you are the
juices?
The house is alight with tinsel. Sillier; gold
and coloured strands strung from room to
Each year, sitting by the fire, watching the ,
Christmas tree, I try to write to our Foster
Child inlindonesia. I try to reach across to
her; each year I fail„.
"Merry ChristmaS, Retno."
How tan I explain Christmas to you,
Retno? You- are nine years old, and own
nothing in the world. How pan you
understand that we do net fast as you do? --WestoreuploOd-forone-enorinous feast that-
-sometimes makes us fat and cross after- that, the freezer might break down and meat you know we get our education free? Our 'Merry Christmas, Retno - and my love.'
Sometimes-when-I-have-eared-for-CIns---this'
-Taken frorn the Foster Parents Plan
Canada News,, Fall 1980 edition.
room, and burnished hanging balls. Every-
' where 'there is warmth and festivity.
You have only one room, Even your, three
Chairs and a table are borrowed from your
uncle.
My children are-fighting because they
must share a room to Make space for grand..
parents. Seven of you sleep in one bed and
sit on it by day.
You ask me what I do. Not as much as your
mother, I'm afraid. She Sells fried snacks in WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, .1980 SECOND SECTION
Dear Santa,
Thank you for last year's
present.
Please can I have an
auger'
Your friend,
Gary Stein.
Dear Santa,
Thank you for last year's
presents. Please let me have
an electric train set.
Your friend,
David.
'Dear Santa,
Thank you for last year's
presents. Please can .I have
one big doll? I like you Sar
How are you doing Santa?
Row is Mrs. Santa?
Your friend,
Mary Miller.
Dear Santa,
Thank you for last year's
'presents.
I would like a digital watch
with a light.
Is your sleigh hooked up?
How are you doing up at the
North Pole?
Your friend,
Robert Cooper,
Dear Santa,
Thank you for last year's
presents. I would like this
please. I would like Blue-
berry Short cake or if you
can't get that you can get this
- a Kiss Doll. See' you later
Santa.
Your friend,
Judy Lane.
Dear Santa,
Thank you for last year's
presents. I will have a train
set if you have one or any-
thing. I like you Santa.
Your friend,
Chris Stanley.
Dear Santa,
Thank you for last year's
presents. I like your elves
and I like Mrs. Santa. But I
surely like good old you!
Please give me dollypop for
Christmas. 0.K? If you don't
have that, then please give
me pianosoris.
Dear Santa,
Thank you \for last year's
presents. Please can I have a
doll or a Teddy Bear? Santa,
you're my friend too.
Your friend,
Betty Anne Murray.
Dear Santa,
I want a car and an AFX
track. How is Mrs. Claus and
reindeer? How is Rudolph?
Good-bye for now.
Love from,
Kevin Springer,
Lucknow Central..
Dear Santa,
I would like the kissing
Barbie and some new skates
and skiis. I also admire the
game operation. School has
been fun so far. I will leave.
lots of things for you. By the
way, how is your wife? Well I
better go now. Bye! Love
from,
Alison Wardrop,
Lucknow Central.
Dear Santa, .
Thank you for last year's
presents.
I would like some Star
Wars men please. How are
your elves?
Your friend,
Lyndon Johnston.
Dear Santa, •
How is Mrs. Claus and the
elves? I will leave you' some
cookies and milk. I would like
a new train, and a helicopter,
please.
How are the reindeer and
Rudolph? 1 would like cow-
boy pants that go over your
legs. Bye for now. Oh there
is one more thing. School is
fun and so is' Mrs, Bell too.
Bye for now. Love from,
Jamie Johnston,
Lucknow Central.