I’m the youngest of eleven kids. I lost my mother when I was only a little kid. I never had anybody to show me how to be a mom, but somehow, it came naturally. Over the years, I observed after a lot of children nieces, nephews, friends and I also worked in childcare after high school. I always hypothetical I unspoken how to care for kids the right way.
Still, I didn’t envisage three singular children would totally alteration my life.
I wanted to stand for my mom for a long time, but I was not accurate if it’s good. I was single, had no kids of my own, and thought maybe I wouldn’t qualify. But I looked into it anyway. I get to know you were only 21 years old. You could be married or single. So I talked to my family and decided to go for it.
In 2016, I called the St. Joseph Orphanage. They directed me a list of all I needed and the class agenda. It was a two-month course, and it was animated. Some of the stories we heard broke my heart. Even though I lost my mom young, I still had family. Some kids in the system don’t have anybody. It pushed me to give even more of myself to help.
After exercise finished, I had to decide how many kids I could care for and what age group. I didn’t care what race they were I just wanted to love them. I picked ages four to five and got accepted to foster up to four children. I felt a little frightened, but I knew I was ready.
One day it was beautiful and I explored so many things, The next day, she named me and said, “We have a five-day-old darling boy.” Deprived unwillingness, I said yes. That’s how Elijah came into my life on December 8, 2016.
A few months later, in May 2017, I got another call two sisters needed a home. I said yes again. That night, only one girl showed up, Alexis. I learned her sister, Mercedes, was in a group home. We made sure they stayed close with visits on stays. However Mercedes started to live with us.
Now I was a 30-year-old single mom of three amazing kids ages one to fifteen. People asked if I was babysitting. I’d always say, “No, they’re my kids.” Because that’s exactly who they are.
When I asked them if they wanted me to adopt them, they all said yes without even thinking. We went through the acceptance process together, as a family it was very hard for me to digest it.
Team Engleman.
People talk because I’m a Black lady raising white kids. But I know this these children are precious, safe, and content. Love has no hue. This is my purpose. And I’ll keep doing what I was meant to do love, care, and give these children the life they deserve.
If it’s in your heart to foster or accept, don’t wait. You can truly alteration a life.
