What do you hold on to after foster child leaves?

Elk, I have a video of the little guy, 5.5, here for a year and a half. He already knows he has to leave, I took him to a counselor on my own, so he could find out in a way that supported him. A few days later, we were at the kitchen table, and I started to video him. He said, "I love you, Mom! I love you Ma-MA! I love you Mom-MIE!! I looooooove youuuuuu, Mommmmmm-IE!"I have his little face full of angelic love saying that to me. Made myself watch it until I didn't cry every time, though I'm ready to just thinking of it. It was the most precious thing, more precious than the pictures. As are the other videos I have of him towards the last. So precious.He wanted to get presents for me at the end, so I took him out and he got me some presents. I'd recommend that to other FPs, because it helps the child with closure. Temporary(no longer) Mom, of course I kept the things like necklaces that he made for me. And most of his clothing, because it was clear the next family was going to throw everything out he came with. Whoa were they petty people.

I have two former FC, separate long term placements that I love. :love: I have many pictures, and outgrown clothes. I have a few pieces of artwork (scribbles mostly) and occasionally I come across something I didn't know I had & it makes me weepy. I am extremely lucky because I have an ongoing close relationship with my FFD and I have occasional contact with my FFS. :love: I think of them as my "heart children" they are people I love as my own, but they were not meant to be mine. I am happy for them. They are both loved, one with her family, and one with his adoptive family.

I can't imagine what it's like going through having one of your FC go home... I am doing kinship care so even if they do go back I hope, 'hope' being the keyword, I will get to go back to being Auntie again...although the thought of not having them in my home and waking up to them everyday breaks my heart. I think if I was in your position I would absolutely keep something, along with the many wonderful photos and memories we have had and captured. I do know that for me I would need to send everything with them or pack up any extra belongings for awhile while I healed because the thought of looking into their empty rooms or finding their drawings, toys or stuffies would hurt. My heart goes out to you at this time and I hope you find comfort in something. You did a great thing for them! Take care!

We picked our first LO up from the NICU and I kept her "coming home" outfit. After she left I would find pacifiers in random places that would always incite tears. Our next placement was a short term emergency placement but I treasure the picture that she drew for us on the way to her new placement and later delivered by her CW. As a pp poster said I was sure she couldn't wait to leave yet her picture showed otherwise and it is something I will keep always. I guess I will wait and see for our current LO but I kind of like the idea of a pp about making a quilt out of pieces of clothing.

We made stamped handprints that I'm going to have matted with a picture of them and their dates here. We also made stepping stone handprints. I kept a blanket from each of them. I also kept the second drawing each of them ever made, sent the first to dad. As you can see I was a little obsessive there near the end :-). I want to make a photo book soon with pictures of us and them. I made two really nice scrapbooks to send with them and it was hard to let those go, haha. But I'm so glad they have them. Today is three weeks since they left. I got out some of their left over toys for our new little guy to play with this morning. Surprised how hard it is to see those things again. Must get off this computer and take this sweet little boy to the park before he sees crazy teary lady!