20 years ago.
“Let go!” the camp counselor shouted encouragingly from 100 feet below. With one hand gripping the zip line tightly and the other hand securely fastened to the tower, I stared at the tops of the trees below. Adrenaline coursed through me and my senses were completely on alert. The warm July breeze on my face, the creek of the wooden stairs I had just climbed. I had a choice to make. Let go or hold tighter. My muscles ached with the thought and my knuckles had turned white with fear. Boldly jump or slink back down 10 stories to admit defeat to my fellow campers. “Let go,” I heard the trees whisper. “Let go,” the wind whistled. “Let go,” my heart thumped, and I did.
I raced down the zipline, catching my breath in the wind. I had never felt more alive.
7 years ago.
“I know your home is already full. I wouldn’t ask you, but it’s just that…I have no other foster parents to call right now. I promise, it will only be a short while. Well, what do you think?” the caseworker implored. I fell silent on the other end of the phone. “I, um, let me think.” I mentally counted the amount of beds already set up in my home. I had two extra car seats in the basement. I could borrow a crib from the neighbor. I did a quick head count. I had seven children already living at home. Two more would make nine. Nine children. In my home. I doubted I could do it. How was I going to keep up with five in diapers?
I worried that my other children would be frustrated with me. I worried that I would fail. I worried that a little while might actually mean a long while. My anxiety was mounting and I clung to my fear. Then I pictured the two small children who had nowhere to go. “Kristin?” she asked with concern. I had forgotten I was still on the phone. “Um, just a second.” I stuttered. “Let go,” said the whimper of the newborn child I held tightly my arms. “Let go.” I felt that still, small, voice. “Ok, I’ll grab the car seats and be right there,” I affirmed. “Let go,” my heart pounded, and I did.
My husband and I changed five diapers that night. We fixed three bottles. We soothed many, many tears. We prayed over nine children as we climbed between the sheets. Love filled my heart so full I thought it might burst. I had never felt more alive.
Last week.
My daughter’s biological sister had been living with us for six months. We gained temporary custody while her mom healed from a stroke. We’ve always called her our niece and she has always called us her family. For six months her laughter filled our home. Her hugs had become the highlight of the after school routine. We watched as she flourished in our local elementary school. I couldn’t help but grin at the sight of her toothless, first grade, smile. “Why are you so beautiful?” I would ask her with utmost seriousness. “Oh Auntie, you know why, It’s because God made me!”
Each day, as we packed one extra lunch, she blended into the routine. Each day as we buckled one more car seat, our hearts grew more full with love for her. Each afternoon as we checked one more homework paper, we swelled with pride. Each evening as we set one more plate at the table, we became family. We dreamed of her future and sometimes dared to see ourselves in it. Each night we tucked her in, holding her hands between ours in prayer. That’s when she reminded us, that she was not ours to keep. With tears streaming she would sob. “Auntie, don’t forget to pray for my mommy. When will I go home with her?” Each night I scooped her into my arms, “I don’t know baby, soon I think. Of course I’ll pray for her.” Squeezing tightly, I would plead silently with God to let her stay. “Let go,” I heard her tears beseech.
Foster parenting is about providing a home to a child who does not have one. It is about parenting in the gap when a birth parent can’t.
The call came last week, “I’m out of the hospital, we have a place to stay. I can take her back tonight.” I choked back tears, “Tonight?” I did my best happy voice, “That’s so great. Just in time for Thanksgiving. She’ll be so happy!” I meant it, so why was it so hard? “Let go,” the zipper of her suitcase breathed. “God, please help me let go,” my heart pleaded. I folded her into my arms and with her toothless smile she said, “Auntie, it’s ok to let go.” And I did.
In my grief, I feel her joy. I let go, and I have never felt more alive.
Foster parenting is about providing a home to a child who does not have one. It is about parenting in the gap when a birth parent can’t. Fostering is about healing broken hearts. Sometimes the healing happens through adoption. Sometimes the healing happens through reunification. I am so thankful that on the journey of foster parenting, I have been able to feel the fullness of a love that is willing to hold tightly and deep ache of a love that is willing to let go.
How has foster parenting caused you to hurt deeply, or love extravagantly? Share with us in the comments.
