The Unsung Mom: A True Hero
It has been five years since I saw her.
I was recently at the post office and she was standing near me in line. Our eyes connected and she blankly smiled. She did not recognize me. She really had no reason to. But five years ago, she left an indelible impression on me.
In the world’s eyes, she is an overlooked middle-aged mom, with unkempt hair and clothes. I had initially dismissed her as well. But during our interactions, I came to know a beautiful person. Possibly one of the most beautiful I have ever known.
When we first met, I was on the cusp of a new life: a newlywed, pregnant and with a whole new world of hope and possibilities in front of me. In my eyes, she was weary and beleaguered.
I came to know why: she gave and gave, often leaving nothing for herself. She was a foster mom and had adopted many into her home. Not just any children, but those with physical and mental handicaps. The forgotten children, most of whom had been severely abused and then abandoned because no one wanted them. But she did.
“I sometimes wish my kids were as little as yours,” she wistfully said in the post office, pointing to my little boy. “Just last night, I was at the police station with one of my teenagers.”
There was no bitterness in her voice. Only love. She knew if she was not there to catch them when they fell, that no one would. And she was willing to give them everything she had to give them a shot at life.
Many moms deal with these same struggles and special needs. The difference between the rest of us and this woman is that most of us do not choose this path but we are chosen. And we do the best that we can with what has been handed to us.
Just as I had five years ago, I marveled at her. And mourned the society we live in where people who can throw a ball or who make millions at the box office are those we place on a pedestal.
Heroes surround us. Most do not receive any recognition and quietly go about their business. But on that day in the post office as I gazed at this woman’s glistening blue eyes, I was sure she was as close to a hero as I have ever come.
Here is to celebrating the many Unsung Mom Heroes this week for Mother’s Day! Who are some of the unsung heroes in your life?
I hope she reads this. Or even better, I hope that all of us who know people like this will thank them. You’ve reminded us how very valuable our decisions are to the people around us.
It is so nice to be reminded of how selfless love and life should be. What a wonderful person and I too hope she reads this or that someone gives her an extra hug today for no reason whatsoever.
Thanks ladies. She truly was an exceptional person!
You are so right. These are the people that should be our chilren’s role models. What a great tribute to an amazing lady.
When I married Hubs, I instantly became a foster parent to 4 teenage street kids. We had a group home for 10 years, and let me tell you; that is hands down the hardest job in the world. We don’t do it anymore because to be perfectly honest, we just couldn’t. We had nothing left and still had our own child to raise and marriage to tend to.
That was beautiful, Amber. I hope that she gets to read this, because so often foster parents aren’t recognized or thanked.
Oops I didn’t mean to make that above comment anonymous. Got too involved in writing it, lol!
http://cookienotes.blogspot.com
Oops! Didn’t mean to make that comment anonymous. Got too involved in writing it, lol!
http://cookienotes.blogspot.com
I am in awe of foster parents and CASA (court-appointed special advocates). Once my children are a bit older, I very much want to be a CASA to give these great children a voice.
Most moms are unsung heroes to me! Of course there are the extraordinary ones that give so selflessly, not because they have to, but because they choose to.
Very touching – I hope she reads this.
Amber, this is such a beautiful post…about a truly beautiful and gracious person. Thank you.
This woman is truly who we should all look up to. Unfortunately, by the world’s standards, it isn’t. Here’s to women everywhere who are making a difference in someone’s life.
Hear, hear. I get so sick of the media lauding Hollywood, which is about as debase as it gets in terms of morals and idols. There ARE heroes around us and what a great reminder.
P.S. I hope she reads this, too.
Beautiful post, Amber. Very touching. I hope that we can all be a little more like this blue eyed woman now.
Wow! What a wonderful post!!
http://divateesthoughts.blogspot.com/
My sister. She has an interesting time with her family.Her husband has OCD and stresses about the bad things i.e. a kid bumping their head. So that makes parenting very difficult for her as he can never relax and if something does go wrong he stresses over it for hours. On top of that she has a son who possibly has OCD and a strong control issue, and one daughter with a speech impediment, and lastly a one year old. She amazes me everyday.
Great post, Amber. I have three teenage boys I often find myself overwhelmed at what it takes my partner and I to keep up with them and give them all the love and nurturing they need. Its always good to be reminded that some people give all that (and more) to many more kids than I have. I am in awe of people like your friend who have amazingly deep capacities for giving.
Holly: http://www.breadcrumz.blogspot.com
Thanks, for making me cry Amber!! As a former foster parent, I can honestly say that it is a hard job but the difference you can make in a child’s life is its own reward.
Yeah, it makes me a bit teary-eyed to think about all the selfless moms out there too!
Thank you for writing this Amber! I was a child of the foster care system for a short year when I was a little girl.
I met my foster family when I was 14 and I am still very thankful everyday for their selflessness to take on the children they did. They stopped fostering after I left because they had tried to adopt me, however I had already been chosen by another family. They are wonderful people and have been the reason I want to foster later on in my life.
You must have a huge heart, to love those that are not of your blood.
Thank you again!
Wow, what a powerful testimonial. Thanks for sharing a part of your story!
I am always amazed at the people who open their homes and hearts to foster children. This was a nice post!
So thankful for the special people out there like this woman who take on life’s forgotten children! I know I couldn’t do it!
One of my very best friends will be getting her 2 new foster boys at the end of the month. She and her husband have adopted them! They’ve waited a long time to be chosen and went through a long process to become eligible. I am in awe of her! We’re giving her a “Baby Shower”, even though they’re 5 & 7, since these will be her only 2 children and she deserves it! Can’t wait!
The woman is a saint! I have a great aunt who had more than 30 foster children. Almost all of them handicapped. About 8 of them she raised from birth to adulthood. She also had 5 kids of her own. I love her!
SO funny, I thought I had read this before! Then I remembered I had and then I saw my comment and verified it. I loved this story – I am glad I got to read it again.
Thanks Amber.
Terra
http://emersongirlsblog.blogspot.com
she does sound like a real hero. i hope she has a wonderful mother’s day – a day to recognize just what she’s doing…. loving kids.
http://www.sunshine-on-my-shoulders.blogspot.com