This letter originally appeared in the Courier-Journal:

May is National Foster Care Month. Foster care is essential for the safety and well being of thousands of children in the Commonwealth. For the adults who care for these children, foster parenting is an enriching, challenging, and life changing experience.

My husband and I were foster parents to a little eight-year-old girl who had never been placed in care prior to her placement with us. She was obviously angry, confused and afraid when she came to us. She was angry for being taken away from the only family she had ever known; she was confused about what she had done to deserve such a fate; and she was afraid of coming to live with strangers. Eventually, her anger evolved into acceptance, confusion into understanding, and fear into joy, love, and comfort.

This child is now our daughter, and adopting her is the best thing my husband and I have ever done. She is incredible, and has enriched our lives immeasurably. Please consider opening your hearts and homes to children in need. Foster care is vital to children whose birth families cannot care for them. And for anyone who has ever wondered, yes, older child adoption can be and is successful for countless families every day.

Susan Allen