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I had just moved into a new town and was about to start my freshman year of college. I was in-between jobs due to the move and had used up all my savings on bills. My first paycheck was about to come in so I was holding out hope that my gas tank would last a few more days until it could be filled.
Most cars tell you when you are low on gas. I didn’t realize that my ghetto 1993 Chevy Cavalier didn’t so I found myself stranded on the highway completely out of gas with no one to call.
This is what it’s like to be an orphan. There’s no parents to give you a couple bucks to tide you over. No place to crash rent free with a full fridge. No extra car to borrow if yours breaks down. No place to go on holidays, and certainly no one to celebrate achievements with.
You learn to fend for yourself and plan for everything. At the age of 18 years old I knew how to change my oil and the breaks in my car. At one point the antifreeze container broke so I went to the salvage yard to pick up a new one and borrowed someones tools to change it out myself. You are constantly on edge and questioning everyones motive because as much as you hate to admit it- you are vulnerable and you can be easily manipulated.
I want you to take a second and think about all the things your parents do for you. Think about everything they taught you. Now take all that out of the equation. That was my life. I learned what I could and did my best to survive.
November is National Adoption Month. I am so lucky to have a support group when there are still many who don’t. There aren’t enough words I can use to express my gratitude towards God and His faithfulness. He gave me parents at the age of 21. The past 3 years have been so wonderful. I may be a little bias but I think I have the best parents in the world.
If I need any help they are only a phone call away. No more being broke down with no one to call. No more having to know anything and everything about my car. I enjoy holidays and look forward to spending them with my parents instead of working. I don’t even have to air up my tires anymore. There’s so much freedom that comes with knowing and utilizing support.
This holiday season I am going to sit with my family and thank God for all He has done. I am going to watch my little girl experience the holidays for the first time and smile knowing her life will look way different than mine. I’ll hug her close and thank God for the gift of family.
~ Lovelle ❤
P.S. Today’s my mom’s birthday! She really wants 40 little girls in poverty to grow up to be fiercehearted women. She’s teaming up with compassion and would love for you to team up with her too! You should head on over to her website and say happy birthday. If you feel led, maybe even sponsor a kiddo. 🙂
Lovelle Gerth-Myers 
Lovelle, I am so sorry for what you went through growing up. I recently read your mother’s blogpost of how she adopted you, and it was so beautiful. I always wondered if I would be able to bond with an older child as strongly as I had with my son who I adopted at two weeks old. I work at a junior high school, and last year I connected with a 14 year old who I knew in my heart I could love just as much as my son if he were in need of a family (he’s not). That experience made me realize how much joy you must bring to your parents’ lives. I am so happy that you and your parents found each other, and that you are now a mother yourself. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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Claire, sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you. It’s been crazy. I think it’s so great you are working at a Junior High School! Let me just say, you have a hard job and don’t get paid nearly enough for what you do. If it wasn’t for my teachers who put up with a lot of bad things, than I would not be where I am so thank you for all that you do. Thank you for your sweet words! Sometimes it’s hard for me to remember that I bring as much joy as my parents bring me. I always appreciate that reminder. 😊 keep working with that 14 year old kiddo. I know from experience that although that kiddo may not be able to tell you, the time you invest in them is valuable and the Lord is using it. I hope you have a wonderful thanksgiving as well.
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Well, I’m actually not a teacher. I’m an RN turned Lunch Lady! I used to work as a maternity nurse, then left that for a telephonic nursing position at a health insurance company shortly after I got married 13 years ago. When my son was 18 months old they were kind enough to let me work part-time evenings, but once he started school that schedule didn’t work out so great. So I took a huge pay cut but am now working the perfect schedule for having a school-age child. I miss nursing, but I don’t miss the holidays, evenings, weekends, etc. My son is my priority at this point, and thankfully my husband is making more money now, so we’re able to make it work. But anyway, the 14-year old is now at the high school, so I don’t see him anymore, but I miss him terribly! I pray for him every day.
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I love your heart Claire.
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Aww, thanks Lovelle!
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Lovelle, every time I hear more of your story I am filled with hope and my heart is full. I am so glad for what our God has done in your life. I was 20 when God blessed me with a family. My (technically second car but,) first car I drove around was a 1993 Chevy cavalier… so crazy. It was white and had a giant dent in the bumper that scrapped on the tire and sounded like a dog barking in the trunk… it broke down one stop light away from the amazing place I now call home. Fortunately, I got it started and here I am, a year and a half later. God is so faithful. Thank you again for sharing your story. God is truly doing amazing work through you and your family. I pray you all have a blessed day and a happy Thanksgiving!
This side of Heaven,
Summer Rae
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Summer, sorry it took so long to respond. It’s been so busy around here. Can I just take a second to say that I am so humbled and grateful that you drop by my blog so often? You are truly a blessing. Your encouragement and sweet words mean so much. It’s a small world. Although that Chevy Cavalier gave me a lot of problems it was a great car and mine was white too! I’m so glad that you found your family too. It’s never too late for a happily ever after. The Lord is so faithful. I hope you have a happy thanksgiving as well 😊
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Amen, it is all Jesus… He is so GOOD!
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Yes He sure is ❤
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