Editor's Note: Window on the Clearwater has joined the Wednesday's Child network to help spread the word about children that are waiting for families to give them the loving care that they need. Each Wednesday we will profile a different child. For more information about Wednesday's Child and how you can be involved check the web site at: http://www.idahowednesdayschild.org/.

Paris

Age: 13

"I'm Paris, and I am currently ending my seventh grade year. In school, I like to play sports. I am one of the tallest girls in my class, and I play the post position on my basketball team. When I get home from school I like to play with my dog, Buddy, and talk to my friends on the computer. I like to draw and to do artwork. One of my favorite things to do is to sing. This school year I have sang the National Anthem at a football and a basketball game for the first time. I get really nervous until I start singing. I also won my school's talent contest when I sang, "When You Wish Upon A Star." My classmates judged the contest, and they picked me to win. I love to sing Disney songs the most.

After I graduate from high school, I would like to go to college and become a model or a fashion designer. I want to live a happy life and to have a parent there to support me. I have survived rough spots in my life by moving on and getting over what has happened, so I could continue to enjoy life.

I have always wanted to be loved, and I really want that dream to happen. I want to be loved by someone who will NEVER give up on me. It is important that a family can be together forever through love and hardship. The love in a family needs to stay strong. I look forward to just being a family and getting to know my future family. I would like to be the youngest in a family, but I guess a middle child is okay for me too."

Paris is a pretty girl who has a flair for fashion. She enjoys crafts and is quite talented. Paris showed us a beautifully handcrafted spring purse that she made in a little over an hour! She explained that she and her friends used a sewing machine to stitch together a fabric placemat with wide ribbon forming the shoulder-bag handles.

Paris has recently been working hard on getting better grades. She wants to fill her life with people who can assist her in making good decisions. It is not always easy for her to take direction. She would NOT do well in a family with an authoritarian style any more than in one that is too permissive. Her parent(s) must have a good blend of setting safe boundaries, having a sense of humor and having the flexibility to find positives in each day. This beautiful young woman has many strengths and needs to know her family sees those even when she's having a difficult day.

Paris would do best as an only child or with emotionally stable sisters who might enjoy all sorts of "girly" things with her. Her adoption team will be looking for a sibling composition with younger males or older sisters. She could do well in a family with a committed single mom who will partner with professionals, if needed. Paris could also do well with a couple, especially if her dad could model the strength of a wise, gentle father who keeps his children safe.

An adoptive family would need to encourage her in her many talents of sports, art, crafts, and singing. They should understand the emotional ties that Paris still feels for her past and allow her to maintain contact with positive, safe people who have been important in her life. An understanding of loss and an ability to help Paris through challenges will be crucial in ensuring her success within the "together forever" family she dreams of.

To find out more about Paris, call the Idaho CareLine number, 1-800-926-2588. In Idaho you can dial 2-1-1. You may be asked to provide this reference number: 30312.

Portraits by Pomerelle Portrait Design Studios

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