You’re a good person. I didn’t normally share, but I feel I should.

I was put in foster care when I was 6/7 (I don’t remember well).

When I was 12, after 7 foster homes, my parents lost all parental rights. I was put up for adoption.

At that time, I was still with one of my brothers in a foster home.

We were told a couple was interested in us. We meet them a number of times, and had a few weekends at their place to test run it. They weren’t great, but they weren’t worse than other foster homes, so we decided to give it a try.

My brother lasted about 9 months before asking to go back to foster care. I decided to stay, because I was tired of moving.

I was adopted at 14, and moved out on my own at 17. I was tired of being reminded I was broken in some ways.

Fast forward to me being 21 and in the navy. We start talking again. By then I was beginning to learn what I now consider my personal morals. He was still racist. I wasn’t.

Fast forward to a few years ago. He’s still wildly racist. More so than before. I am now a very liberal person, advocating for homeless rights foster youth assistance, LGBTQIA+ rights, and equality all around. I have finally had enough. I call his bullshit out. About 2 years passes, and his 14th heart attack takes him.

That was 2 years ago. My oldest is 24. My next oldest is 18. They never met him. I just couldn’t bring myself to introduce them to the old school hate.