One family, two years, eight children—this is how they tell their story—a beautiful way, isn’t it?
This story sounds perfectly normal when heard, but it has a series of events behind it. People pause for a moment to process whether it’s true and then say, ‘Wow, I could never do that.’ Of course, it isn’t an easy job!
While this comment can be taken positively, their eyes show how hesitant they are when they pass it, duh, nothing new. After all, it’s always the eyes.
The parents were at Target that day, a casual day, shopping for pants for their 12-year-old foster kids, when the phone rang.
A baby girl at the hospital awaited them, who would soon take over their heart. With no name given, she was abandoned at birth. The callperson said this might be a temporary event, so she told them she would get back to them in a few hours.
The couple locked eyes and nodded without any certainty that the baby girl would be given to them to love and cherish. They were ready for it; they wanted her already!
Now, they were at Target, not just to get pants, but also to grab diapers and a few cute outfits. In 45 minutes, they were home to install the car seat, and the baby girl was in their arms in no time.
A perfect, tiny baby girl. She made them feel complete.
Her legal name was ‘Safe Surrender’—a name given because of the California law that allowed her mother to leave her at the hospital. No traces of her mother anywhere, which meant it was time for an addition to their growing family.
Four months later, when the baby was taken to the hospital for a few tests and a general checkup, things became awkward in the room after hearing her name. Confused stares could be seen. But, there was more to come.
The doctor told how the baby needed multiple surgeries, which soon led to a colostomy bag, staying up late to take care of and provide exceptional care for the baby. But, for miracles to happen, a journey needs to be covered.
They weren’t there to run away but to make her believe that the world is full of love. They stayed and learned lessons no other journey could teach them. Holding her little hands every post-operation cry, holding her in their arms and adjusting her life around healing, the love was real!
Then one day, Grace received a call.
No one was coming forward; she had to be adopted. While she was already taking care of 7 children, she chose to foster, she knew fostering is all about hope. How could she say no when everything was clicking into place?
The baby needed a home and lots of love.
Fostering is a kind of hope that snatches away the grief from life, teaches you how to love, and heals the damaged souls.
People do ask them how they manage so many children and the endless responsibilities and trauma, but at the end of the day, it’s about the beautiful family and HOPE!
On March 14, 2018, they stood in the courtroom, all set to make the baby girl a permanent part of their lives. They were surrounded by their family, friends, and other loved ones to make the moment even more special.
Grace looked at her husband. Her eyes clearly showed how their love for each other grew with the growing family, and the little girl, only 14 months later, would bring them so much good.
The judge asked a final question: “Grace, what name have you chosen for her?’
She looked at her daughter with eyes full of love and knew, ‘Arya Hope’.
She taught them love and, most of all, hope.
