12/05/2006

Generation Why

Foster Mom is a Super Hero

'The most kind-hearted person I know'

BY MARIE MARIANI
Special to the Record-Eagle

Record-Eagle/Douglas Tesner
Marie Mariani, right, with her foster mother Nancy Middaugh. Mariani describes Middaugh as "always being there for me."

My American Hero is not a superstar or known to everyone, but she is someone that I can call my American hero.

That person is my foster mom, Nancy Middaugh. She is the most kind-hearted person I know. She has taught me many things, especially to feel good about myself.

When I started going to Buckley schools, I was told that there were many racist people there. When she found out that I was nervous to go to the new school, she asked me what was wrong, so I told her. Nancy just told me that there could be some of that, but probably not much, and that it doesn't matter what other people think about you; it's what you think about you. I am just glad that I have Nancy there to back me up and to give me some really good advice.

When I first went to her foster home, I was so scared that I didn't talk for a week until Nancy told me that I didn't have anything to be afraid of. After that, I started talking more and I felt comfortable. I had been told that every foster home is bad because foster parents are really mean, but after I got to know Nancy I wasn't so worried about the foster home anymore. I am very thankful that my brothers and sisters and I ended up with really good caretakers, which would be the Middaugh family.

One thing that I really like about Nancy is that whenever someone is mad, she'll make them happy. Whenever someone is being put down, she brings them up.

Another thing that I like about Nancy is that she has humor. I just love it when someone will say something and she starts bursting out laughing. I don't even think it's funny until she makes it funny.

My favorite part I really like about Nancy is her personality. I love it. Nancy is funny, caring, loving and trustworthy. It is a great thing that she and I get along very well. To me, she is my super hero. When someone is feeling down, she comes in and saves the day, like a super hero should.

Thanks to Nancy, I can feel good about myself, and also feel good about where I live. I also thank Nancy Middaugh for always backing me up and for always being there for me.