A second Christmas at Home
When baby Henry was born, he entered the world fighting for his life. His mother passed away during childbirth, and no one knew who his father was. There were no grandparents waiting, no family members coming to hold him or smile at him or stroke the hairs on his head.
Henry was in the NICU for a week and a half. He was surrounded by beeping and buzzing and other babies crying, but he had no one to comfort him. The state stepped in and he was admitted into foster care.
Laura, one of our single foster moms, got the call.
“She told me about a little boy who didn’t have anyone,” she said. “I was just sitting there thinking—maybe he doesn’t have a family, but he’s not going to be by himself.”
Laura brought Henry home as soon as he was released from the hospital. More than a year later, she still calls that day “the best and craziest decision I’ve ever made.” Thinking back on that time, Laura also said, “it started as a leap of faith and became one of the most beautiful journeys of my life.”
Henry has grown into a bright, curious toddler who loves to stack blocks, chase their beagle around the house, and point at every ornament—he calls them ‘ormets’— on the Christmas tree. “He’s obsessed with the lights,” Laura said, laughing. “Every morning, he points and says, ‘On! On!’ until I plug them in.”
Henry’s second Christmas at home is full of wonder and warmth—a far cry from the cold, sterile room where his life began. And though Laura is parenting on her own, she says she’s never felt alone.
“I tell people, I may be single, but my house is full,” she said. “It’s impossible sometimes, hard always, and rewarding forever. I could never do this stuff without my church. The support…has helped me through the hardest stuff. I remember the first time he got an ear infection; nothing helped him. But my church really stepped up and my small group brought over medicine and dinner and just held him while I took a shower. I couldn’t do it without them. They are the village.”
Nearly 25% of foster parents are single women like Laura. They step forward with courage, compassion, and faith, ready to love children who have lost so much.
“People sometimes assume single people can’t foster,” Laura said. “But children don’t need perfect. They need love, consistency, and someone to show up and be the love of Christ in their lives.”
Recently, after some distant biological relatives were unable to take him, Laura began the process to adopt Henry. “I know the Lord put us together…” she said. “…and now I can’t imagine life without him.”
This Christmas, Henry’s story reminds us of what God’s love can do through His people. Not only has Laura provided a safe, warm home for Henry this winter, she has raised him to know the true meaning of Christmas.
If you would like to learn more about how to help kids like Henry in Alabama, visit here.