Connection has been a lifeline for our family, especially during seasons filled with medical complexity, trauma, and the unique challenges of fostering. One day that stands out was during Avaya’s hospital stay, when family and friends came simply to be present. She felt well enough to play in the hospital playroom, and in that moment, surrounded by laughter, coffee, food, and kind words from our church family, I felt deeply supported. It was a reminder that connection doesn’t always mean fixing things; sometimes it means showing up and reminding someone they are not alone.
Support has also come through the everyday partnerships that help our children thrive. At school, Avaya has a dedicated vision support professional who ensures she is not overlooked despite her delays. Knowing there is someone who truly sees her and advocates for her makes an enormous difference. That connection goes both ways, we communicate openly, ask questions, and problem-solve together, even outside the school year. Those relationships build trust and bring peace during seasons that often feel overwhelming.
Our therapists and teachers have become another essential circle of connection. While not everyone understands why small moments matter so deeply in our world, they do. A milestone like crossing midline or reaching for a pacifier may seem insignificant to others, but to us, it’s worth celebrating. Being able to send a quick message, share a video, or celebrate a victory between sessions helps us feel understood and supported in ways that truly matter.
Fostering can be isolating. Social situations are often difficult, medical needs can limit where we go, and holidays that are meant to be joyful, can be deeply triggering for children who carry trauma. In those moments, having people who get it is everything. Other foster and adoptive families who share similar experiences, a church family that prays, checks in, and lovingly cares for our children, and an extended family who steps in during long hospital days have all carried us through. Connection has reminded us again and again that while the journey can be heavy, we were never meant to walk it alone.
