My dad was a teacher at Yelm High School and my mom stayed at home with my sister and me.

I don’t remember much of the inside of our house but I remember there being lots of “big kids” around. My dad and mom were both involved with Young Life at the high school and always welcomed the high school kids into our home. There were many kids who needed places to stay. My parents always wanted a big house so they could open it to people who needed a place to stay.

There was one man who stayed with us for a few years named Richard. He was probably a high-school kid, but he seemed like a “grown-up” to me. Mom said he was our “foster-brother.”

I never wondered why he was staying with us or why he needed a place to stay, he was simply a new part of our family. My mom says he babysat my sister and me and even changed my diaper (once). My memories of Richard are very vague, but I remember him being around.

Last I heard, Richard had joined the military. I think he stopped by for a visit when I was in Junior High, but I didn’t recognize him.