Hopeful, Honored and Humbled

Yesterday, when I dropped the baby off for her visit at the rehab program where Mom currently lives, Baby Dee's Bio-Mom asked me to be her God-Mother. Wow. I was so touched, I couldn't say anything. Tears welled up. Mom said "aww...don't cry". Hearing the word "cry" was my cue. I blubbered. I sniffled, I blubbered and nodded yes. I hugged her and thanked for letting us take care of her baby. I blubbered a little bit more, pulled myself together and told her she was an amazing woman and that we believed in her and that she could do this (parent this little baby with special needs). We both blubberd a little. Damn P.M.S. Program staff tried to look busy and pretend they weren't watching. I'm kind of glad they were. I's always nice to have a witness to a miracle.

Last Friday was Court for the baby: Reunification. Work on housing and getting all her Doctors lined up. Yada-Yada. Baby Dee's Bio-Mom has her public housing all lined up on the other side of the state for March 1st: a single story 3 bedroom house with a great yard on a cul-de-sac- even comes with washer and dryer...WOW! Baby will (unlikely)go when Mom moves March 1 or will (MOST LIKELY) move a few weeks after. Mom needs a little time to set up house and register an older sibling in school. The next few weeks are for setting up referrals and new doctors for the 17 or so professionals thIS little baby sees. We've all been hard at work with appointments and the socail workers are setting up transitional planning meetings for all providers (us included- can you imagine????).

Today, I feel hopeful, honored and humbled all at once.

I am hopeful for the baby's future (whatever and wherever that may look like) and that Mom's network, her village of support, will help her through the challenges she will face parenting and maintaining her sobriety. I am hopeful that the Division of Family Services in our noble New England State will continue to recognize that foster families can be ongoing supports for bio-families (when appropriate) and that when this happens - everyone benefits.

I am honored to be included in that village by being asked to be Godmother. My heart is touched by the sweetness of Mom's gesture. Pure Grace.

I am am humbled by the unexpected teachers that come into our lives, and the solid, clear messages they bring. My heart is full.

Thank you Baby Dee. Thank you Bio-Mom. Thank you God.