"It felt like God led it. Like she was meant to be in my life. Mary had already experienced more instability than most children her age. At 8, she had been living in foster care for several years and had moved through six different homes. But what stood out to McClelland most wasn't Mary's past. It was her personality."
"She was naturally funny and incredibly creative. She loved reading, and she had these little comments that felt wise beyond her years. Mary devoured books and had a knack for turning ordinary assignments into something bigger. As a teacher, you try not to have favorites, but she was just one of those kids whose personality filled the room."
"When summer arrived, word spread that another family planned to adopt Mary. It was the outcome everyone hoped for - a permanent home - but the thought of losing touch with the girl left McClelland unexpectedly heartbroken. I had this picture in my mind that I needed her in my life."
In 2021, teacher Lexi McClelland met Mary, an 8-year-old foster child in her second-grade classroom in Bentonville, Arkansas. Mary had experienced significant instability, having lived in six different foster homes. Despite her difficult past, Mary displayed exceptional creativity, humor, and wisdom beyond her years. She excelled academically and brought distinctive personality to classroom projects. McClelland felt an unexplainable spiritual connection to Mary from their first meeting. When another family planned to adopt Mary that summer, McClelland experienced unexpected heartbreak at the prospect of losing contact with the child, realizing she needed Mary in her life.
#foster-care-adoption #teacher-student-relationship #child-welfare #family-formation #emotional-connection
Read at TODAY.com
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