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The Foster Mom Diaries

How Fate Changed
One Woman's Life

By Teri Foreman

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Day Four
The children came early. David was bright, hyper and very, very loud. Shiloh decided I was the mother figure replacement and latched onto me. Little Susan had a very large head and somber eyes. She didn't smile or respond to us. I wondered if she'd been a drug baby. The caseworker gave us the new clothes they'd bought the children and told me to call if I needed anything. Then he was gone.

We thought we were ready, but we had forgotten a dozen things. The first thing we did was to take Susan out in the back yard and shave off her baby wisps. Both of the other children had already been shaved and treated for lice, and though Susan had been treated, we weren't taking any chances. That was the very last thing we needed right now. David followed us everywhere talking loudly, asking a million questions and running around. Susan recovered from her hair trauma and slept. Shiloh clung to me and whined if I got too far away.

Day Five
Some family members (different side of the family) traveled all the way up from Washington to bring us more stuff, including a crib, toddler bed and bags of brand-new clothes. They brought their own babies, as well, and I don't think we have ever had so many little ones at our house. Babies and toddlers everywhere. It was quite festive and also quite chaotic. I wondered what we'd let ourselves into.

When they left, we walked them out to the car. I was holding Shiloh, and the minute she saw the open car doors she clung to me and began screaming, "Shiloh no go! Shiloh no go!" Apparently she remembers a car had taken her away from her mother. I wondered what other scars this bright and seemingly happy toddler was carrying.

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