July Column Winner

What if she had said no after all?

By Jennifer Pitts, Countywide & Sun

I didn’t know it at the time, but four years ago this month, a baby boy was born that was about to truly change my life and me forever. 
I nearly said “no” to the call asking if I’d take him on an emergency placement for a few days. I worked long hours and was pretty sure my roommate Sandra (who agreed to co-foster with me) wasn’t thrilled about helping with a newborn, even for just a few days. After all, she’d already raised two kids and had two grandkids to boot. 
We hadn’t been certified very long and after a bumpy start with an unexpectedly, short one week placement, neither of us were sure if we even wanted to continue. So I was definitely, in no way, prepared for a newborn and was frankly scared to pieces. So after a quick call to confer with Sandra we hung up and I started looking for the number to call DHS back and decline. Before I could dial the number, my phone rang. It was Sandra. I answered and she simply said, “Tell them yes.” 
I was surprised and confused. When I asked why, she said it was only for a few days and “I know you really want to.” 
She was right. I had no clue how I was going to take care of a newborn, even for a day, but my heart definitely wanted to. 
I left work early and within a few hours we had gathered a bassinet, some bottles, a few outfits and other necessities. Then we waited for him to be brought to us from the hospital. 
He arrived in a wonderful new car seat, generously donated, that was far too big for his tiny, 4-day-old self. He was wearing a hospital baby gown and onsie, had a paci, one hospital blanket and enough diapers and formula to get him through the next 10 hours or so, until around 6 am. 
I went to get him out of the car seat and suddenly felt like one of those stereotypical characters in a movie, usually a guy, who gets handed a baby and has no idea what to do with it. My cluelessness, and fear, had to be written all over my face. Most new moms have up to nine months to plan for a newborn’s arrival. I had a few frantic hours. Regardless, the moment I met the Little Man was the first day my life felt like it had meaning. 
I never expected in a million years to get to witness his transformation from that fragile newborn, to a running, bouncing, sassing almost 3-year-old. Yep. Those words uttered by DHS of “just for a few days” turned into nearly three years. Had I known, I never would have said yes, but I’m so grateful I did. His presence in my life for the first part of his life was literally the greatest gift of my life. 
He got to go home with his family just before his third birthday. I even feel blessed to feel the continued pain of his absence because that means I did my job and so did his family. <3 Happy Birthday, Little Man. I love you, GG.