Unsung Heroes

A week ago today, I attended a talk given by a famous actor's wife. The topic for the talk was Clarity in Chaos, and she spoke of coping through extremely hectic times. How we manage when things don't seem to go according to our plans. How we show up when faced with difficult challenges, especially when we are not at all sure we can handle what is placed before us.

Her story was beautiful and moving, when she spoke of her husband we laughed, because we have all had similar experiences. But the story underpinning all of it was about their three kids and the unique challenges they faced as a family. They adopted all three of their children. They were married several years and had not been blessed with a child of their own when they were presented with a chance to adopt a little boy from another country who was 5 years old, and didn't speak English. She spoke about navigating the brand new world of motherhood, but with a 5 year old with whom she couldn't communicate with easily. She talked about the things that worried her about his character: not that he was troubled or anything but because he did childish things and she was a new mom. (I remember having my own doubts and worries as a new step-mom before I had any children of my own. I remember the worries I had (have still) after each of the others were born.) She told of being presented with the choice to adopt a baby 11 months old who had serious health issues and how she wasn't at all sure that she had the courage to accept that sort of responsibility. They chose to do it and managed through all the worry, concern and prayer. That baby is a teenager now and would likely not have survived if they hadn't taken him and cared for him. She concluded by saying, if she had had her own children she might not have been open to the opportunity when it came. She said,

God has a plan for each of us and he reveals it in the proper time. We have to take courage and be willing to walk down the path He lights for us.

This was a terrifically moving story and I could see the clarity that came out of her chaos. It hasn't left me. Instead it reminded me of my sister-in-law starting about 11 years ago.

My sister and brother-in-law made the very difficult decision to become foster parents. They had a little boy but they knew they wanted more children and to go on a list for adoption takes a very long time. But there was immediate need for fostering children so they chose to go through the process and become foster parents. This means that they'd care for children temporarily and had to be prepared to give the child back when called upon to do so. I remember the respect I had for them for making this decision, one I don't think I could make.

Shortly after being approved as foster parents, a baby boy was placed in her care because of an unsafe situation with the baby's parents. They cared for this baby and of course, fell in love with him. There were court hearings - other family members vying for custody, it was a mess, and more than a little stressful and nerve racking for my sister-in-law. After a time and still on the rollercoaster with this sweet little boy, they were asked if they could also take a baby girl who had been neglected by her parents. Now they have both babies, with regular court dates, as well as visitation meetings with the birth parents (a constant reminder that they can be given back to their birth parents if they manage to do what the courts ask of them.) My sister-in-law was in a constant state of worry for these kids, with a heart in anguish over the possibility that she'd have to give them up. Meanwhile, more children came: two other baby girls - sisters, in fact, of the 1st baby girl. Slowly the birth parents and their families lost their rights completely, and one by one they were able to adopt, all of them! They have a beautiful, big, happy family. Life is far from easy and there are residual effects for some of the kids because of the birth mothers' choices during pregnancy, but that does not matter. What does is that these children have everything they need to thrive. Their lives would have been unspeakable if it had not been for the courage of their true parents the ones God had planned for them all along. I prayed daily for them all constantly, but I never doubted they'd stay where they were. I knew God brought them together for a reason.

My sister-in-law is a hero. Some days she may not see it, or feel it, but everyday it is true. The world needs more people like her, more people with her courage and determination. Her life may not be easy, but it is full of love abundantly. So I say a prayer of love and thanksgiving especially for adoptive and foster parents. You who have made a difference in the life of a child!

During that talk I attended, this prayer was shared from St. Teresa of Avila

Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you. All things pass. God never changes. Patient endurance attains all things. Whoever has God has everything. God alone is enough. ~ Amen

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Cream of Mushroom

Another easy quick soup when you are short on time. You can make this without using the can of Campbells soup by adding flour to the mushrooms and slowly adding broth but increase the broth and the heavy cream.

1/2 cup butter

10-12 oz mushrooms sliced

1 clove garlic minced

salt and pepper

10-12 oz chicken or vegetable broth

1 can (family size) Campbells Cream of Mushroom soup

Heavy Cream

Garnish

Slice of hearty bread toasted (I used a rosemary parmesan loaf - the rosemary complements the mushrooms nicely)

Melt butter and add sliced mushrooms cook until mushrooms are soft and tender. Add garlic, salt and pepper cook for 2 minutes then add broth. heat until just beginning to boil then add can of soup mix well and bring back to a simmer. Add heavy cream to desired creaminess.