Former foster youth sends a Buckeye quilt, and a message of hope, from Australia

This letter was enclosed in a box that arrived unexpectedly from Australia, sent by a woman who spent time in foster care as a youth in England.  We are very grateful to Tracy, both for the quilt she sent and for the message of hope she included for other youth in foster care.

My name is Tracy and I would like to donate this blanket to your charity.
 
I ordered a beautiful sympathy blanket for my daughter’s birthday, after she lost one of her 3-year-old twins. After several months of waiting (it was being made to order), and just in time for Christmas, it finally arrived. Only when I opened it, it was the wrong blanket. It was this blanket.
 
Somewhat disappointed, I didn’t see the point of returning it. What with all the hassles, I threw it in a cupboard and forgot about it over the holidays.
 
I recently started thinking about what I could do with the blanket and thought I would go online and look for a charity, in Ohio USA, that I could donate it to, as it is a specialized subject matter after all, LOL.  It is my hope that this blanket can go to an Ohio State football fan.

After a short while of searching, I came across your charity and was immediately drawn. You see, I was in the care system, living in group homes and foster homes throughout my teens, in London UK in the 80’s. I then went on to work with children and young people in the care system myself before moving to Australia with my family in 2009.
 
I was quite hopeless as a young person in care, but went on to thrive and have an amazing family and life in a very beautiful part of the world.
 
I am very impressed by the work your charity does as I always kind of laughed at the term “care” system, because I believed no one really did.  But organizations like yours that enter young people’s lives and show that someone, somewhere cares enough about them that they sent them a small thing, is not a small thing.
 
I have come a long way since those dark and depressing days of my youth. I have made it to 50 years old and have beautiful, amazing grandchildren now. I don’t know if messages get to the receivers of the blankets, but I would like to offer this message of hope if possible.
 
Even in your darkest hour, don’t give up hope that things can be different one day, if you want them to be. It’s all about the choices we make; small steps can still carry you far. It just takes longer. I never could have imagined how good life would get. Hang in there. With the right choices, anything is possible.
 
Finally, I’d like to thank you guys, the volunteers and workers that make a difference to young lives when they need it most. You are appreciated more than you will ever know.

Many thanks and kindest regards,
Tracy Y, Queensland, Australia