Jamie, the mom and blogger behind the popular site Foster the Family, knows a thing or two about being a foster mom.
Jamie and her husband are proud parents to a happy houseful of kiddos. Some of the kids are biologically "theirs," some are adopted, and some are temporary fosters.
She writes in her blog that she often felt called by God to open up her home to children without a happy place of their own.
That means that she volunteers, again and again, to have her heart broken when the kids she cares for and loves eventually go on to different homes.
Like the foster mom who broke down after spotting one little boy's forgotten toothbrush, Jamie puts a lot of herself into caring for these kids, even knowing that they can't be hers forever.
She already has two little girls in her home that began as long-term fosters and became a permanent part of her family. Still, she knows that's not an option for most of the kids she takes in.
Many of them have grandparents who want to adopt, parents trying to turn their lives around, and other homes to eventually land in.
Jamie wrote a powerful, heartbreaking post about what it means to be a "mommy" for children who are just in her home temporarily.
She wants to be a comforting, stable female role model to them, and wants to help the little ones in her life understand what "mommy" really means.
Her post went up on Love What Matters, where more than 19,000 people reacted with their comments and emotions. Scroll through below to read her impactful words in full.
She walks in confidently and with a smile. She knows the drill.
In her two years of life, she’s spent five months in foster care. In her five months in care, she’s been in four different homes.
I get down on my knees and say, “Hi, sweetie. My name is Jamie. I’m so glad you’ve come to stay with us. Do you want to go meet the kids?”
The other kids are the welcoming committee, the tour guides, and the concierge service for our little residence (“You’re here! Want to see your bed? Want a baby doll? Want a snack? I love you!”).
They’re the key to a new child feeling at home.
Nothing makes me feel prouder of my bios than watching them do this.
Nothing makes my fosters feel more like “mine” than watching them follow suit.
She wanders around with the other kids for approximately 11 minutes before she runs into the room with a smile and says, “Look, mommy!”
To me. The woman she met 11 minutes before.
To this little girl, “mommy” meant the female adult of the house, the lady who reached something you couldn't and refilled your juice.
Having five “mommies” in five months, she hadn’t yet had the chance to learn what mommy meant.
Mommy meant falling asleep on shoulders, kissing skinned knees, teaching ABCs.
Mommy meant helping homework, whispering about friends, sitting outside dressing rooms.
Mommy meant taking pictures at graduation, hugging on wedding day, cuddling grandchildren.
Mommy meant security.
Mommy meant commitment.
Mommy meant life-long love.
She was only two years old, though, with a biological mom working hard to get her back and a foster mom willing to step in if she couldn’t.
This little girl had the hope of learning that mommy isn’t just what you call a female who helps you, of forgetting that mommy could ever be just a name.
This little girl would know what mommy meant.
This little girl would have a mommy.
Did Jamie's powerful story about being a "mommy" and a foster mom touch your heart?
Be sure to SHARE her powerful words in honor of all the amazing parents who adopt and foster kids!
