Thirteen years ago my friend Be made an extraordinary choice.  At the time she was single and a professional Realtor, who having faced multiple challenges was finally beginning to enjoy her life, felt financially secure and was beginning to believe in a future different from her past.

The prior year, her brother, who had three children, had committed suicide.  While this was quite traumatic for Be, she realized that it was going to be a difficult road for his children and was committed to maintaining a relationship with them so she could provide support as they struggled with their loss.  On the year anniversary of his death, she traveled to Texas were the children were living to spend time with them.  What she discovered when she arrived was an intolerable situation.  Clearly the children age 14, 9 and 7 where not only being neglected, but apparently were living in a situation in which their physical, mental and emotional safety were at continual risk.  Without a thought, Be took all three children immediately out of the house and brought them home with her to the East Coast where she filed for and received temporary guardianship.

I have spent the last thirteen years in amazement as my friend has sacrificed her life and ambitions in order to give these children the love, support and counseling needed in order for them to have a chance to grow into functioning adults.  She did all of this without any financial help and little emotional support from the children's relatives.  Ultimately, Be made the decision to leave her job as a Realtor, taking an administrative job and sacrificing financial security so she could be home with the children.

Today, because of her extraordinary willingness to step in, these children had a chance to heal and become contributing people in the world.  The oldest has been serving in the Marines for 6 years and has recently married; the middle boy is employed full time in the service industry, is married and a step dad to two kids who adore him; and the girl is a junior at at a top rated college where she maintains a 3.97 gpa.

The past 13 years have been anything but easy for Be, and when I asked her why, given all she had been through, she chose to take this on, she looked at me as if I had two heads and said..."it's not like I had a choice."  Well yes, you did have a choice my dear friend, and many people would have allowed the "State" and/or "system" to step in, but with great courage and conviction you took these children into your heart and home and in that moment became a role model of compassion and grace for us all.   I am blessed to have been a witness to your life and have you as my dearest friend.

Do you have a story?  Please let me know.