My memory recalls I must have been about 9 or 10 years old at that time when they took me in I could be wrong with the age range.
 

 You see I lived with my adoptive mom who was busy and I did not really want to be with her. I had another friend who at the time I would of said he was a father figure. I stayed with him often he was sexually abusive. I wanted to be with him because he showed me love, he showed me the wrong kind of love but at the time I did not see the difference it started so young so it was normal to me. 
 

 I believe God was watching over me because He brought my family of Angels into my life. I thank God for this family because when they took me in to their lives I was showed true love. Love that a mom and dad gives, love from sisters. Not the love that I was used to.

I was older than the other two girls and that helped my self-esteem to be able to have people around me, who did care, who loved me they taught me how to live life.
 

 I had no idea how to act around people I was very shy, and timid, at the same time I had a lot of anger inside of me. I raged a lot and they taught me a lot about life as I think back I see how they taught me love more with their actions than with words they showed me by the way they treated their own children, and they treated me as if I was one of their own.
 

 I don’t think they knew about the abuse or if they did we did not talk about it. It was normal for me and I was used to it so I did not talk about it. The subject never came up as far as can I remember.
 

 I remember there were times I would sit and talk with their mom and I felt loved. I had chores to do and that made me feel worthy, it made me feel as if I could be trusted to wash dishes and things like that. I never did those kinds of things at my house with my adoptive mom she always wanted to do everything.
 

 This wonderful family that God brought into my life I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking me in and teaching me how to live.
 

 When this family moved I did not want to live any more and I did not care about my life. Of course I was a teenager, very sensitive, very emotional and very immature. This family of Angels was so special. I did not know how to express my feelings to them. As I grew up and started to get some maturity I came to realize how this family were truly Angels in my life.
 

 I don’t know if my adoptive mother ever thanked them or not. I do not know if she realized that this loving family was the ones who taught me some morals and taught me love. I thank you and I hope one day we will meet again so I can give you all a big hug and thank you for being in my life. I pray you all are having a wonderful life and are happy. I have missed you all these years and I pray we will meet again.
 

 I believe to this day you saved me from a lot of things I cannot even express my gratitude for you. God takes care of His children and even when I had no idea, or had no communication with a God. God brought you all to love me and show me what a family really is. I thank you so much for being here for me in my childhood.
 

 Update November 11^th 2006 I found my best friend and we talked on the phone and I am so thankful to God that we are able to talk again. I am looking forward to seeing you all again.
 

 Thank you God for bringing this family into my life when I was a child, and thank you for bringing them back into my life.
 

 I love you thank you.
 

With Love Denise

 Copyright © 1999-2006 by Denise Contreras