A couple who were planning to retire, have adopted 7 children in the United States after the children's parents tragically died in a car accident.
Pam and Gary Willis, of California, have had 5 children of their own, and have spent time fostering other children, said they had planned to retire just as their youngest child left home. Instead, they saw an article on social media telling the tragic story of how the 7 children had lost their parents and had no one to care for them.
Pam was compelled to immediately get in touch with the foster home and put her and her husband forward as prospective foster parents to Adelino, 15, Ruby, 13, Aleecia, 9, Anthony, 8, Aubriella, 7, Leo, 5, and Xander, 4.
The children had spent a whole year since the tragedy in the care of social services and had spent time struggling in poverty while their parents were alive, both of whom struggled with addictions.
Pam said of the adoption:
"I think they didn't quite trust that we were real. Like maybe we were going to go away. I think it's so hard to trust when so much has been taken from your life. Ruby didn't know how to be a kid. She had to be a mother figure at a very young age."
She added on a Facebook post:
"We knew deep inside that this mission was being placed before us. If not us, then who? They had been in foster care for a year since their parents had been killed in the car accident that they all had miraculously survived. Who would keep them all together? Who would have the space for them? Who would have time, and the love, and the patience for their trauma? The answer was clear... we would."
Many of those online reading the story of the adoption congratulated the parents, with comments saying:
"You and your husband are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your story. What a beautiful family."
"Oh my goodness. How can I 'help'. Do you need anything at all? We will send it all."
And:
"We too are foster parents and have adopted some of our children, but it takes very special people to take on a whole new family of seven."
[h/t: Daily Mail]
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