The kids you bear and the ones you gain

I have been fortunate to have three biological children, my two girls and my son. I could not and would not want to live my life without them.

In Kindergarten I volunteered once a week in class for Eric. I would go into the classroom and while I wasn’t always with my guy, I had an understanding of what was going on. It was that year that Patrick volunteered the same day in the classroom for his daughter Allie. Allie was adopted by Patrick and Milissa for free China. It is because of them Allie entered our life and became my third daughter. Patrick and Milissa may have officially adopted her, but throughout the years she has become mine as well.

A few years ago Allie and Eric joined some of my church teens for Steubenvile. They all formed really strong bonds and as usual it was a powerful weekend. Later that year, Emma wrote a letter for National Honor Society and ended it with “your fourth daughter, if you will have me”.

I can only say how blessed I am by all “my kids”. Yet I also see the struggles they deal with. Of my biological there are anxiety/depression issues, chronic health problems and learning disability. Of mine gathered and loved , Asian hate and the LGTBQ community. I love them all. Each and everyone of them is pushing me to step up for them and be a better person. Each one of them expects and wants me to stand behind them as they fight their battles.

Thank you God for all you have given me. I pray I can stand up and fight and be the one they can count on. I pray God that you continue to push me outside my comfort zone. Please show me how to stand with my kids and all the rest and be a witness to how much you love them. I ask for your strength and guidance. And I ask that you continue to bring the most amazing souls into my life. #kids #earlyonsetalz #alz #caregivers #faith #catholic