We adopted Jarrett when he was 10 years old. We met him the week before he turned 10. We were very nervous to meet this 9 yr. old that God sent our way, but from the first time we saw him and his smile unwrapped, we knew he was our son. Because he was in foster care, in order to have him stay with us for his birthday weekend, we had to get our emergency foster license. We had never wanted to be foster parents, but since we had this license and attended classes, it opened up doors for us that eventually led us to adopting Mason and Caleb. God's ways. . . .
Jarrett has been a great blessing to our family. He has always been really thankful to have a forever family, and quickly gave his life to God as part of our family. His ability to be happy under most any circumstances makes hanging out with him a good time. He will be 30 years old this November, and I can hardly believe it. There have been many battles along our journey as Jarrett's parents that God has guided us through, and it hasn't always been easy. We even had to make a decision for Jarrett to live away from our family for a while to help him heal in ways we could not help him at home. It took a lot to convince Jarrett that we were still his parent and family and would never separate permanently from him. Because of the numerous living arrangements he had before living with us (at least 9 - and he came to us with one small box of personal items), he has fear of abandonment issues. He gets nervous when people he loves travel. When loved ones pass away, he struggles to understand it wasn't their choice to leave him. It's an anxiety issue that he will likely deal with on some level his whole life. However, recently, Jarrett proved what great progress he has made in this area.
Sometime in April, we approached Jarrett about the idea of living independently from us in Cicero, Indiana in a home owned by Mephibosheth ministries (Christian based waiver provider), who would provide staffing needs for him. He had been attending their camp and day program for about a year. We really felt like this was the place God was providing for Jarrett. Jarrett was visibly nervous during the conversation, and we agreed we would talk more as he wanted, but that there was no hurry for a decision or moving as he could say with us as long as he felt it necessary. He said something about maybe in 3 to 5 years he would be ready. About a month later, Jarrett came to us and said he would like to discuss the move with Mephibosheth, see where the home would be, and possibly move out this summer. Well, God made a way, and as of June 10th, Jarrett has been living semi-independently in an apartment in Cicero. And, he has made the adjustment very well, with minimal psychological concerns.
I was really worried about him, and 2 days after he moved he called and told me he was having trouble sleeping because he was worried. I expected him to tell me he was afraid and feeling lonely, but he told me he was worried about not being here to help ME. He even said he would remind me when the trash needed taken to the road (as that was a job he had done for years). AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! How did THAT happen. How did my son suddenly grow up to be a mature young man who put thinking about others in front of himself. Grace of God! I love Jarrett so much, and am So Glad We Adopted Him!
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