Fostering HopeSample

EYE OF THE STORM

She sat quietly, blinking away tears, as she read again the mother's day poem. Next to her lay a stack of construction paper cards and colorful trinkets made by her kids to honor the day. But this gift - it was different. It was straight from the heart of her daughter. Her mind drifted back four years to the day the girl came to live in their home. They had interacted at the occasional family gathering, but this was a whole new kind of relationship. The nearly 13-year old brought very few physical possessions, but the emotional baggage that tagged along could have filled up the house. Abuse. Brokenness. Anger. Sadness. Distrust. Rage. There had been many good days, that was sure. But many struggles as well.

Often the relationship between the two was like being beaten by the wind and rain of a hurricane. Yet somehow they struggled together against the storm. Held onto each other. Survived. Cared. Healed. Redeemed. Loved. The storm isn't over, but on mother's day they were able to rest for a little while. As words from a chosen daughter filled the heart of an adoptive mom. 'You pulled me out of the dark; you saved me from could've beens. You've been here with me, through good and bad, thick and thin. And haven't given up. You're strong when I'm weak; you're peaceful when I'm out of control. You're my mom, my role model, my hero; I love you and I wanna be just like you.'