Three homeless siblings are saved by a mother of five and taken to Child Services. She implements a strategy to include them in her life since she cannot let them go.
Lacy had five children because she enjoyed being a mother so much. Even though she and her husband Brian were the proud parents of three boys and two girls, she occasionally wished they had more kids, especially now that the three oldest kids were in college and the two youngest were in high school.
“We’ll be alone again soon,” Lacy told Brian sadly. “I’m going to miss having children around.”
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Brian didn’t listen, but he gave an absent nod anyhow. “Yes, sweetie,” he replied. Lacey grinned. She adored Brian and cherished the fact that he always addressed her feelings.
Three days later, Lacy’s marriage and life underwent a major shift. She heard a baby crying while walking her dog on the beach close to an old, abandoned lifeguard hut. The dog barked and moved in the direction of the hut. Following it, Lacy noticed that it was wagging its tail joyfully.
Three kids were standing in front of the dog. The eldest appeared to be five years old, the second oldest appeared around four, and the third was a baby still in a carriage. The baby only appeared distressed and hungry, while the two elder children were frightened.
A family is founded on love and the willingness to give of ourselves.
“Hello,” Lacy said gently. “Who are you?”
The oldest boy said, “I’m Drew; that’s my brother Kim; and that’s baby Will; he’s two.”
“I’m Lacy,” she said. “And where is your mom?”
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Drew shakes his head. “Mom went to get hamburgers,” he said bravely. “But maybe she got lost ’cause it’s been a long time.”
“How long?” asked Lacy.
“Yesterday,” Drew whispered. “But I know she’s coming back.”
“I tell you what,” Lacy said. “Why don’t I take you to have a burger, and then we can find your mom?”
“But…” Drew frowned. “If she returns, she won’t know where we are!”
“We’ll leave her a note, OK?” Lacy said. She wrote a note and pinned it to the door of the broken-down lifeguard hut. “I’ve also written down my cell phone number so she can call us!”
While the children were eating at a beachfront burger joint that Lacy had taken them to, she called Child Services and the police. She went back to the table and placed her order for shakes.
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The children were laughing and relaxed. Little Will walked over and touched Lacy’s cheek at that moment. “Are you our mommy now?” he asked.
“No, no…” Lacy stammered. “We’re going to find your mommy; you’ll see.”
Social services, though, weren’t as hopeful. They were aware that anyone might disappear if they so desired. The social worker told Lacy that she had three mouths to feed. “And she’s just nineteen.” She’s been a mom since she was fourteen and is desperate for freedom. “If she ever returns, it will be when she’s in her late thirties, and the kids don’t need her anymore.”
“That’s very sad,” Lacy said. “But these kids are so cute and young; I’m sure plenty of families will take them.”
“No,” the social worker said. “We have a policy not to separate siblings.” We can usually place two; three is a stretch. These little boys will be in the foster system for a long time.
Lacy went home and told Brian and her high school kids what had happened. “Can you believe it?” “Those poor babies…”
“Lacy,” Brian protested. “You end up mothering everyone!”
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Lacy laughed, but she thought back to Will’s query: “Are you our mommy now?” She took a deep breath. “Brian? Why don’t we take the three kids?”
“What?” gasped Brian.
“WHAT!” screamed the kids. “Are you kidding?”
“Why not?” asked Lacy. “Come on, Brian! We’re doing so well! You said the other day you’d like more kids.
“NO!” Brian said it crossly. “I told you what you wanted to hear! “We don’t know these children and don’t owe them anything.”
“What about basic compassion, Brian?” Lacy asked softly. “What about love?”
“We don’t owe them, love, either!” Brian shouted. “These are NOT my kids, and I won’t spend a cent raising them!” Do you want them? YOU find the money, ’cause you won’t get a cent from me!”
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Lacy turned to face her spouse. “You know, Brian,” she said quietly. “It’s not about the money.” I’ll find the money. I’m sad you’ve become such a miser with your love. How can you grudge them with your compassion? You’ve become hard-hearted. I wonder: “Do you still love me?”
Lacy turned to her children: “This is not how I raised you—to be cold and selfish with those less fortunate.” “I must have been a bad mother to have you turn out like this.”
Brian and the kids held hands before looking away. They wanted to apologize to Lacy but were far too arrogant. When Brian discovered what Lacy was up to from the family lawyer, he felt even worse.
She had listed the beach house her parents had left her and the silver and jewelry her grandmother had left her for sale. Lacy intended to sell some of her treasures to raise money for the three kids.
Brian and the kids apologized to Lacy that evening. “Please, honey,” Brian said. “Don’t sell anything.” We have more than enough money!”
“But do you have enough love?” Lacy asked, looking Brian and the two younger children in the eye. “I won’t bring those kids into a house where they won’t be loved.”
The two younger children, ages 14 and 17, and Brian assured Lacy they would support her. Even the older children, who were at college, called to assure Lacy of their full support.
Drew, Kim, and Will were happy to be part of a large family and have so many older siblings to spoil them. Everyone soon lost all ability to contemplate life without the three little children who had completed their family.
What can we take away from this story?
- Be truthful. Never speak what you believe other people want to hear. Because he had no idea there might be more, Brian promised Lacy he wouldn’t mind them. His wife suffered because his deception was exposed.
- Love and the willingness to give of oneself are the foundations of a family. Lacy’s opulent family learned to appreciate what they had from the three small orphans.
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