Comments on Lilly's Life: The day Isaam came to live with us

I too agree with Ugich Konitari . Lilly you never ...

2009-06-26T22:18:39.502+10:00

I too agree with Ugich Konitari .
Lilly you never cease to amaze,humble and inspire me.
I am encouraged to try harder to reach out to my own 'teenager'.You are one very special lady in a million.

Whoa. I am sooo moved by this post and am so encou...

2009-06-26T04:49:27.071+10:00

Whoa. I am sooo moved by this post and am so encouraged to read it. how very glad I'm sure most of us are that you took the time to post this.

What a story of how love overcomes the worse upbringings. your family was literally a physical manifestation of grace upon him. I'm sure too it was very difficult at times, even with those big brown eyes peering up at you, melting you into compassion.

I love how you conclude this moving tribute with:
"When he came to live with us it made me realise that it’s often those with the most cocky and outgoing personalities who are hiding in the darkest shadows."
--How true indeed.

Wow Lilly, thank you for sharing that. You've con...

2009-06-25T22:56:57.711+10:00

Wow Lilly, thank you for sharing that. You've confirmed my belief that we can, and are willing to improve life for others. The effects of what you have done will be ongoing in Ian's life, and those he relates to and one day possibly his children's lives. Sharing your story will also effect its readers, leaving this one humbled and inspired. Thank you.

Lily, this was such a moving post, I enjoyed readi...

2009-06-25T20:19:38.046+10:00

Lily, this was such a moving post, I enjoyed reading it.I am sure raising a child with a troubled past, not to mention another culture was sometimes very difficult for you. God bless you my dear and have a great week.

Wow! What an incredible post, Lilly. You are trul...

2009-06-25T04:35:36.505+10:00

Wow! What an incredible post, Lilly. You are truly an amazing lady to take a child into your home with such a troubled past. Not many would be as wonderfully kind as you have been. You've also raised a daughter to have that same terrific spirit of caring. I wish we had more people in this world like you two!

Gosh! Lilly you are an amazing person and so too i...

2009-06-24T19:38:59.028+10:00

Gosh! Lilly you are an amazing person and so too is your daughter. How many lives have you changed by your selfless act of caring for this troubled soul? Not just Ian's life - there's the ripple effect too. Many, many lives have been enriched by your goodness.

We took in a young boy, in much the same way, when...

2009-06-24T18:45:39.432+10:00

We took in a young boy, in much the same way, when our daughter brought him home, to stop him sleeping at the railway station. "My Mum will give you a bed" she said. I did. He was a 14 year old boy, whose wasp parents did the wrong thing by him all his life. He had lived in 15 different homes, & was supposed to be living with foster parents. We offered to take him, but did not tell him, preferring to let his case worker decide what was best for him. She explained to us, that children who have upset lives like that, rarely settle down, & find it very hard to have stable, long lasting relationships. He continued to be a part of our lives at weekends & in times of stress until he was about 17.

Has anyone else noticed how many social workers or...

2009-06-24T14:16:57.894+10:00

Has anyone else noticed how many social workers or people that work with those in need there are in these comments. Impressive people.

Lilly, you have outdone yourself with this post! ...

2009-06-24T12:54:37.089+10:00

Lilly, you have outdone yourself with this post!

My clients impact me every day, in many ways, by telling me their stories. Listening to their experiences, I am continuously amazed by the strength of the human spirit.

Thanks for sharing Isaam's story with us.

Wow Lilly, that's an amazing story. You must have ...

2009-06-24T07:12:16.613+10:00

Wow Lilly, that's an amazing story. You must have a very special (and generous) family to take on such a responsibility. You guys essentially changed the course of his life for the better. That's so awesome.

I recently saw the ABC series "Choir of Hard Knocks" on DVD. It's about a choir that was set up for homeless people by a world famous conductor. Very inspirational and moving.

Lovely story. All the best to Isaam for the rest o...

2009-06-23T19:50:38.088+10:00

Lovely story. All the best to Isaam for the rest of his life. he deserves a happy one.

When I began meeting homeless folks on our church ...

2009-06-23T14:15:53.541+10:00

When I began meeting homeless folks on our church misson trips to the inner city in a major Texas city, it made me see how privileged and blessed we are with not only a home but so many other things as well. Put everything into perspective very quickly...

Oh I like this post a lot. It doesn't take too muc...

2009-06-23T14:14:49.854+10:00

Oh I like this post a lot. It doesn't take too much to open up our hearts in some way or other and help someone who needs it - particularly children. To lose your trust in people when you are a child must be horrific.

My boss has had a big impact on my life - not in a positive way though lol!

Good blog, nicely done!

2009-06-23T13:46:20.000+10:00

Good blog, nicely done!

You and your daughter and family were wonderful to...

2009-06-23T12:06:47.114+10:00

You and your daughter and family were wonderful to accept the opportunity to extend love to another and I'm sure he will "pay it for it." We are blessed that there are people who will extend themselves and hold on through the rough spots with children (and adults) who have been unloved and damaged.
Thanks for sharing.

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments. Yes I th...

2009-06-23T09:22:12.772+10:00

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments. Yes I think believing in and letting other people into our lives is a risk. However, sometimes you have to. And there are as many good stories as bad, particularly when you are open to these things. I salute so many of you who are involved in social work - and there are a few of you just in these comments. Now that is a job which gets nowhere near the thanks it should. How about we stop giving all this attention to celebrities and devote more attention to people who work day in and day out with children in need. They are the heroes. We just did something very minor for one child. And as it happens he did more for us. You guys are working day in and day out with many people walking red tape while you are at it. Bravo to you.

That made me cry! What a wonderful leap of faith ...

2009-06-23T07:56:56.502+10:00

That made me cry! What a wonderful leap of faith you took when you brought Ian into your home. You and your daughter have a special gift with people. Your hearts are full. xo

You are such wonderful people! This post just leav...

2009-06-23T06:43:24.872+10:00

You are such wonderful people! This post just leaves me speechless. It WAS a brave and caring thing to do

Lilly thanks for sharing your lovely story with us...

2009-06-23T05:59:10.745+10:00

Lilly thanks for sharing your lovely story with us, it was a brave and caring thing to do.

Oh, your crown in heaven awaits you and your daugh...

2009-06-23T05:49:40.377+10:00

Oh, your crown in heaven awaits you and your daughter... to give so unselfishly... you are a true blessing to mankind.

I want to take in every child I see that could benefit from having a different way of life than the one they are experiencing...

Thanks for sharing.

Your story moved me to tears! What a wonderful thi...

2009-06-23T04:37:03.522+10:00

Your story moved me to tears! What a wonderful thing for you and Jordan to do for Issam! And, yes, how we can all learn from each other and how wonderful it is to share with others the love we hold inside. What a difference that can make, particularly in a young life. I saw this many times when I was still teaching; saw so many changes in children just because I gave them special attention of some kind, because I recognized a need that others hadn't/couldn't/wouldn't see. Thanks so much for sharing this. Great way to start the week!

I loved this story. I worked in the welfare system...

2009-06-23T04:17:45.432+10:00

I loved this story. I worked in the welfare system here for years before retiring and saw so many homeless, abused, and unloved children. It is people like you that give these lost children love and hope in their lives. You and your family will always be the ones that were there for him when he so desperately needed you. You are very special people.

Be assured that you and your daughter have done ve...

2009-06-23T03:54:52.705+10:00

Be assured that you and your daughter have done very well. For it is only when someone is willing to become personally involved in the life of another to the extent that they are allowed and enabled to be that they can truly be of help to them, and this is something that you and your daughter was willing to do for him.

This is one of the most beautiful and inspiring st...

2009-06-23T03:35:06.200+10:00

This is one of the most beautiful and inspiring stories I have read in the world of blog. Thank-you for the inspiration.

Giving spirits renew all of us. Thank you for rais...

2009-06-23T02:35:57.356+10:00

Giving spirits renew all of us. Thank you for raising your daughter to put others before herself and to reach out to kid that are less fortunate than she is. I admire the both of you.