When love and courage unite, beautiful things happen. At Amara, we often see love and courage uniting to lift families up and help them heal.
Love and courage united at the beginning of Cadence’s* story when she was placed in foster care a few days after she was born. When Heather* started fostering, she always thought she’d be caring for older kids, not a newborn. But on that day six years ago, a new family was born.
Heather had always wanted to be a mom, but until she became a foster caregiver, that dream had not come true. Even then, she was prepared to foster kids and help support their parents so that they could reunify. She never thought she would be able to adopt.
“One of the greatest gifts of fostering is only ever having one more day to plan for, because you don’t know what’s going to happen in the future,” she explained. “Fostering keeps you in the present because the future is so uncertain. You have to enjoy the time right in front of you.”
In Cadence’s situation, reunification was not possible. Despite that, her mom wanted to stay in touch with her daughter and build a relationship with Cadence’s foster caregiver. It was a courageous choice for her mom, and it will allow Cadence to maintain a relationship with her and to know her full story as she grows up. She won’t have to live with unanswered questions.
“It brings her an incredible amount of peace, knowing that Cadence is safe and loved,” Heather said Cadence’s mom has told her.
Heather was courageous every step of the way in her fostering journey in part because she is a single parent, and because her own family did not support her desire to foster kids. She also courageously built a supportive, strengths-based relationship with Cadence’s mom.
Heather credits the support she received from Amara with helping her have the courage to build a relationship with Cadence’s mom, one that allows them to all keep in touch. “Instead of being judgmental like I was in the past, now I’m just accepting. [Cadence’s mom] now is part of our extended family,” she said.
“It would have turned out so differently had I not had Mari’s help. (Mari is an Amara Foster Care Specialist who has helped many families.) I don’t think I’d ever be in a relationship with Cadence’s mom without her. And now Cadence doesn’t have to live with a mystery.”
Today, Cadence is a fun, silly, happy little jokester who loves art and drama, and treats others with kindness. She cherishes a special photo album her mom made for her. It’s a beautiful gift made with love that will forever hold special meaning.
*Names changed to protect privacy