Motherhood comes in all forms. Birth mothers, adoptive mothers, surrogates, foster moms, and more. And each act of mothering takes incredible strength, love, and commitment to ensure the children we care for have everything they need for healthy and vibrant lives.
As a mother of four, it’s always been important to me that children are provided with the opportunities they need to grow and flourish into successful adults. It’s the reason the mission of our foundation is dedicated to transforming the lives of children living in urban poverty. And it’s why part of our work in our home town of Austin is focused on supporting our most vulnerable children: foster children.
And while on Mother’s Day we celebrate all kinds of mothers, there is something unique about a foster mother. Someone who opens her heart and her life to children who have been removed from their homes and provides those children with the love and support they need to thrive. In addition to providing stability, care and shelter, a dedicated, loving foster mother has the ability to positively impact a child for the rest of his or her life.
Recently, I had the honor of meeting Michelle Miron, a foster mom in Austin and an adoptive parent to five-year old Cameron. Before Cameron came to them as an infant in an emergency foster placement, Michelle and her husband had never been parents. Now they’ve adopted Cameron and fostered several other children, and it is easy to see that their hearts and lives have grown as each child has flourished in their care.
It’s scary, Michelle tells me in the video below, “because you know it’s going to pull your heart in a million different directions.” But it’s also a beautiful, amazing opportunity to see a young life bloom. And if you are inspired by Michelle and would like to learn more about being a foster parent in Central Texas, you can find more information here.
As we celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend, I want to recognize all of the inspiring women who mother every day, in every form. Happy Mother’s Day!