I had a great phone call during lunch today with the woman I’ve been looking for. It’s crazy how sometimes what we’re seeking is actually right under our noses!

I was hoping to find another woman who is raising (or has raised) several (more than three) kids while working full-time and juggling other responsibilities. I didn’t expect to find someone who fit the bill of raising a relative’s children; I just wanted someone I could look to and say: “Ok, she did it, and so can I!”

I can’t believe I didn’t think of her sooner. I have to credit my mom for thinking of her now, b/c I was focused on coming up with people who I know in my general age group.

Here is a woman – in her 80s now – who worked full-time as a school teacher while raising four children. She also has been active in church and in her community these many years. Not long after her fourth child was born, her sister died, leaving behind a 5- and 10-year old. The children’s father was not in the position to care for them (this would’ve been in the early 60s), so she took them into her home and raised them with her own.

The 10-year old is my dad. The sister who died is his mom. The woman I’ve been looking for all this time is my great-aunt.

I told her that I’ve always respected and looked up to her, but suddenly, I have a renewed admiration for her! It was just so nice to talk to her, even for a few minutes, and hear her reassurance that yes (!), I can do this and still come out sane on the other side. It means a lot to hear encouragement from other people in my circle of influence, but it means exponentially more coming from her.

Thank You, Lord, for putting Aunt Dot into my life … or rather, for putting me into hers! Thank You for the new perspective and boost of encouragement.