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Man Shares Emotional Post Of How The Woman Who Adopted Him 30 Years Back Turned His Whole Life Around
You don’t have to wear a cape, save the world from aliens or be able to lift a car with your bare hands to become a hero in someone else’s story. Sometimes, all it takes can be love and kindness—things that are powerful enough to flip a person’s life upside down. And that’s exactly what happened in this story.
Recently, a Facebook page called Humans of New York shared a heartwarming story which currently has more than 480 thousand reacts and over 14 thousand comments. This story was told by a man who, along with his brother, used to be foster kids. In this post, the man shares a story of how the woman that adopted them turned out to be a true hero who had so much love to give, that this love was able to heal him.
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“And somehow, despite all her sadness and heartbreak, she poured enough love into me so that I could heal”
Image credits: Humans of New York
“But the Ripleys made me feel welcome in their home”
Image credits: Humans of New York
This man and his brother became foster kids at a young age. Though the man notes that his brother was a lot luckier—he went to a family called the Ripleys. Meanwhile, the other brother “went through four different homes in three years, and each one was worse than the next.” The Ripleys from time to time would take both brothers out for lunch. One of these times, Ms. Ripley noticed that the boy had scars all over his body.
“You’re not going anywhere. Because you belong to us now”
Image credits: Humans of New York
After that, she immediately made arrangements for the boy to join their family as well. “But the Ripleys made me feel welcome in their home,” the man writes in his post. Whenever he did something wrong, the foster mom would explain to him why it wasn’t ok and would add: “you’re not going anywhere. Because you belong to us now.”
“But instead she took us to court and made it permanent”
Image credits: Humans of New York
Unfortunately, shortly after the boy became a part of the family, Mrs. Ripley was diagnosed with cancer. And later, he passed away. Ms. Ripley was absolutely devastated. Besides, now she was left alone with two foster kids to take care of. And now she was alone with two foster kids. “Nobody would have blamed her for taking us back,” the man wrote. But that wasn’t what she did. The woman decided to finally adopt the boys.
“She must have been super stressed, but that’s not at all what I remember”
Image credits: Humans of New York
After that, they moved to a single-wide trailer in Mississippi, and that’s where the woman raised her boys. “She worked whatever odd jobs she could find. We never had much, but we went to movies. We had family game nights. She kept us busy with little league and Boy Scouts,” the man writes.
“She cried when I joined the Marines, but she knew it was my best chance for a college education”
Image credits: Humans of New York
Ms. Ripley would always find the time to remind the boys that they are strong, smart and handsome. Last year this man had a daughter of his own and that made him think of his foster mom and realize that every choice he’s making is going to affect her future.
“I should be broken, but I’m not. Because thirty years ago my Mom decided to keep me”
Image credits: Humans of New York
And then he started thinking about his own childhood and how different it could have been if he hadn’t been adopted by this wonderful woman. The man ended his story by saying this: “And somehow, despite all her sadness and heartbreak, she poured enough love into me so that I could heal.”
Here’s what people had to say about this story
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What do you think ?
Roadkill The Brave 4 years ago
Every single Foster Care systems in the U.S. is messed up in some way. You have amazingly good and decent foster parents as well as people who are just in it for the check they get. They systems are over loaded, there's not enough case workers, and some of those homes are worse than the ones the child was pulled out of. Some children are never removed from homes they should be. While there are a lot of issues there are some amazing people in the system as well from Foster families to Caseworkers who do everything in their power to make sure that these children have a fighting chance. Have a chance to thrive instead of being another statistic. Stories like this make me very happy.
Kim Lorton 4 years ago
There is never too much love, where children are concerned. Thank you to all foster parents ! We need more good ones!
averageperson 4 years ago
So glad this story had a happy ending. My aunt and uncle used to foster, and they've adopted three children through the system. One case worker was convinced that my aunt was the best foster mother in the state. We need more of these kind of people. You go, Mrs. Ripley!
Animal lover❤ 4 years ago
This is so sweet, no child.. Heck no person should have to deal with abuse of any kind. People truly can be terrible, but good people are out there.
Meyer Weinstock 4 years ago
As an adopted foster child, your story is far too real and still heartfelt. Congratulations to you in your experience. I was adopted by my 3rd set of foster parents, who were of a different ethno-racial background than I. After 50 years, I reconnected with the biological family, and they were strangers in many ways. For myself, when my ex left, I remained single and raised my 2 biological daughters to adulthood. Pass the love on, pay it forward, and have an attitude of gratitude. -Rev Dr M, who might have turned out very different if I was raised by the biological family...
Pseudo Puppy 4 years ago
THIS is why if I choose to have a family, it will be by adoption of older kids, preferably siblings. Give me 6 in one go (because larger groups of siblings are the hardest to get adopted)!. I'll willingly, and happily take on that responsibility / adventure. I know it won't be easy - but raising kids never is. <3
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
Crying tears of joy for what is and sorrow for his early years. Mrs. Ripley must also have gotten tremendous joy from her sons. I wish the editor could correct the errors in misidentifying Mr. Ripley as Mrs., and Mrs. as Ms.
Jayne Sargent 4 years ago
This story perfectly illustrates the power of love. What an amazing family! Mrs. Ripley deserves so much more than she can ever be given in this world, but the love and admiration of these 2 incredible men must be the gift she cherishes most. 💖💖💖
Katinka Min 4 years ago
IN the US you have to become a soldier fpor their many wars to get an education. What a f****d up system. So glad I live in Europe where I paid no tuition whatsoever, food, public transport and rent are (sometimes) cheaper for students and books are normally priced.
Shannon Matthews 4 years ago
"Unfortunately, shortly after the boy became a part of the family, Mrs. Ripley was diagnosed with cancer."......I'm pretty sure you meant to say Mr. Ripley, not Mrs.
Roadkill The Brave 4 years ago
Every single Foster Care systems in the U.S. is messed up in some way. You have amazingly good and decent foster parents as well as people who are just in it for the check they get. They systems are over loaded, there's not enough case workers, and some of those homes are worse than the ones the child was pulled out of. Some children are never removed from homes they should be. While there are a lot of issues there are some amazing people in the system as well from Foster families to Caseworkers who do everything in their power to make sure that these children have a fighting chance. Have a chance to thrive instead of being another statistic. Stories like this make me very happy.
Kim Lorton 4 years ago
There is never too much love, where children are concerned. Thank you to all foster parents ! We need more good ones!
averageperson 4 years ago
So glad this story had a happy ending. My aunt and uncle used to foster, and they've adopted three children through the system. One case worker was convinced that my aunt was the best foster mother in the state. We need more of these kind of people. You go, Mrs. Ripley!
Animal lover❤ 4 years ago
This is so sweet, no child.. Heck no person should have to deal with abuse of any kind. People truly can be terrible, but good people are out there.
Meyer Weinstock 4 years ago
As an adopted foster child, your story is far too real and still heartfelt. Congratulations to you in your experience. I was adopted by my 3rd set of foster parents, who were of a different ethno-racial background than I. After 50 years, I reconnected with the biological family, and they were strangers in many ways. For myself, when my ex left, I remained single and raised my 2 biological daughters to adulthood. Pass the love on, pay it forward, and have an attitude of gratitude. -Rev Dr M, who might have turned out very different if I was raised by the biological family...
Pseudo Puppy 4 years ago
THIS is why if I choose to have a family, it will be by adoption of older kids, preferably siblings. Give me 6 in one go (because larger groups of siblings are the hardest to get adopted)!. I'll willingly, and happily take on that responsibility / adventure. I know it won't be easy - but raising kids never is. <3
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
Crying tears of joy for what is and sorrow for his early years. Mrs. Ripley must also have gotten tremendous joy from her sons. I wish the editor could correct the errors in misidentifying Mr. Ripley as Mrs., and Mrs. as Ms.
Jayne Sargent 4 years ago
This story perfectly illustrates the power of love. What an amazing family! Mrs. Ripley deserves so much more than she can ever be given in this world, but the love and admiration of these 2 incredible men must be the gift she cherishes most. 💖💖💖
Katinka Min 4 years ago
IN the US you have to become a soldier fpor their many wars to get an education. What a f****d up system. So glad I live in Europe where I paid no tuition whatsoever, food, public transport and rent are (sometimes) cheaper for students and books are normally priced.
Shannon Matthews 4 years ago
"Unfortunately, shortly after the boy became a part of the family, Mrs. Ripley was diagnosed with cancer."......I'm pretty sure you meant to say Mr. Ripley, not Mrs.
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