Child abuse is when a parent or caregiver harms, neglects, or fails to protect a child, leading to possible injury or even death. It can happen in many ways, such as physical violence, emotional harm, neglect, or exploitation.
The Letter of a Little Boy
A recent letter shared by Dreamcatchers for Abused Children tells the story of a young boy whose parents struggled with alcoholism. His life was full of neglect and violence, and he had never known love or care. Instead, he lived with hunger, fear, and pain.
His life changed when a concerned neighbor noticed something wrong at home and reported it to child services. Authorities rescued the boy and placed him with Dreamcatchers, where he was finally safe.
A New Life with a Loving Family
The boy was then placed with a kind, stable family who adopted him. When he arrived, he wrote a simple wishlist that broke everyone’s heart. It was a list of things no child should ever have to ask for, but it showed what he longed for most.
Here’s what he wrote: “Things I want in my family:
- I want food and water.
- Don’t hit me.
- A house with running water and lights.
- I want love.
- Mom and dad don’t fight.
- I want no drugs.
- Don’t kill my pets.
- Help with school.
- Nice clean clothes.
- No lice. No bugs in the house.
- Clean house.
- Clean bed with covers.
- Don’t sell my toys.
- Treated fair.
- Don’t get drunk.
- TV in the house.
- Let me keep my school stuff.
- Nice shoes.
- My own comb, soap.
- Nice house and safe and heater coat.
- Toothbrush.”
A Reminder of What We Take for Granted
For many, these are simple things we might not even think about. But for this boy, they were the things he had always dreamed of. Let this remind us all: the life you live today may be someone else’s only wish.
If this story moved you, think about sharing it. You never know who might need to hear it.