A note from the Editor: This is the third in a series of articles written for Now Habersham by Fran Chastain in recognition of National Foster Care Awareness Month. Fran and her husband, Ricky, have fostered more than thirty children over the years. They’re the proud parents of 13 children – two biological and eleven adopted. Four of their children have been in the news lately, the victims in a high profile child cruelty case involving their previous adoptive parents – Richard and Cheryle Burton of Habersham County. While the fallout from that case continues, the Chastains remain focused on providing a loving, stable home life for their children. Their kids’ stories are different, but their experiences are heartwarmingly summed up in cards and a letter to Mom . ~ Joy Purcell, Now Habersham
Why?
That’s the question we get asked so often; why did we choose to become foster parents?
Let me tell you about my 14 year old son, Nolberto.
He and his two brothers were dropped off at Cornelia Elementary School one cold February day in 2011. Two of them attended Cornelia Elementary and the baby was only 15 months old. The lady who had been caring for them said she just could not do it anymore and the parents had left them with her a few months prior. It was interesting that, while I had no idea this was happening, I was driving to work thinking about what our family would do next. We had just adopted one of our daughters which gave us six total at that time. Surely that was all God had planned for us until some of our kids were grown.
I began to think about my recurring dream to help a sibling group of three African-American boys. Why? (That question again!) Nationally and statewide the system is full of sibling groups and a huge percentage are African-American. It was something I had dreamed about for many years but I am still not sure why on this particular morning it was what filled my thoughts on my drive in to work.
A worker with the Habersham County Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) called and asked if I thought we could take part of a sibling group of three Guatemalan boys. I answered, as I always did, ‘I need to talk with my husband and family but if we say yes it will have to be all three. We will not be part of splitting up another sibling group as we have experienced before. It is not fair to the children.’ She said OK. I prayed. I called Ricky. He prayed. God answered that although not African-American, these are your three boys. And now we have three wonderful boys added to our family.
Our 14 year old son is the oldest of this sibling group. He is a handsome, intelligent and outgoing young man. Recently he brought me a letter and with tears in his eyes and explained that he wanted to give it to me on Mother’s Day but had forgotten to print it. I took the letter, read it, cried and then handed it to my husband and said, “When people ask, this is the why.” The letter said:
Dear Mom,
I want to thank you for what you have done in my life. Thank you mom for pushing and encouraging me in everything that I do. For the love that you have shared with me. To adopting me and always being there for me. Thank you for giving me hope and another chance in life.
You shared love to me by adopting me. I remember when my brothers and I were waiting and waiting at a building, that is known as defax (sic). Then we heard a call….And the lady said someone is going to come and get us. She told us how lucky we were, that’s because my brothers and I didn’t have to split. We waited at a park for the person to come and get us….that’s when I met you.
You show determination with me in which I thank. Like in wrestling when I qualified for the state finals tournaments. How I lost my first match, and how I felt like giving up. When you told me not to give up early, to give it all I got for the next match. Your support gave me another mind set and determination. Because of the determination….I won. Against the guy who beat me two other times before.
Thank you for making me who I am. You have done so much for me, and I am thankful for that. Thank you mom for influencing me and my life. For teaching me the right from wrong, for letting me be a part of the family. Thank you for the love you have shared with me. I love you.
Sincerely,
Nolberto Chastain
I received this card from two of my other sons on Mother’s Day.
And now, you know why.
There are many more children in Habersham County who need safe, loving homes. For more information about foster parenting, please call 1-877-210-KIDS or 770-331-1024 or email [email protected]
