Instant Family
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Six months ago, when I left Maryland and moved to Puerto Rico to foster my 6-year-old niece and 8 and 12-year-old nephews, I didn't think I was ever coming back. My plan was to take care of the kids until they were safely reunited with their parents, then move to Arizona to be closer to my extended family and start a new chapter in my career. So, I sold my car, donated all of my furniture, and moved to the Caribbean to play Super Aunt for a few months until the case was resolved.
But three months after I arrived in Puerto Rico, to our total surprise, the judge revoked my sister and brother-in-law's custodial rights. When he did that, I had two choices: I could put the kids back in the Puerto Rican foster care system or take custody of them and raise them myself.
As someone who never wanted kids, this was an agonizing decision. I have always wanted my life's work to be my career, and after several months of caring for them on my own, I knew the high cost of being a single mother of three. I knew that my old life -- a life that I loved -- would be over, and it ripped me apart to have to make that decision. But I couldn't let them go back into the system. As hard as it was to think about my personal and financial freedom being traded in for endless cleaning and constant sleep-deprivation, there was no way I could send them back. They are happy and thriving, and I won't jeopardize that. I love them too much.
Last week I was finally awarded custody and we were cleared to leave Puerto Rico. Now that I have full legal responsibility for three kids, I don't have the luxury of quitting my job to move across the country like I had planned, so, instead, the four of us are moving back to Maryland where my work is.
But in Maryland, we have nothing to go back to; no home, no car, no furniture, no housewares, and no winter wardrobe for these three little tadpoles who have lived on a tropical island for the last two years. Everything that I own fits in two suitcases, so even though I know that I'm doing the right thing, the enormity of taking on this responsibility feels totally overwhelming.
Our lease here in Puerto Rico ends on November 30th. That means we have one week to get all of our ducks in a row before we fly back to Maryland, and I need your help. I know I can do this, but I can't do it alone. Whatever is in your means, please, will you contribute? Because the reality is that I do have something -- I have an incredible network of friends and family that love and support us, and you all will be the wind that carries us through.
All of my love and deepest gratitude,
Cristie
But three months after I arrived in Puerto Rico, to our total surprise, the judge revoked my sister and brother-in-law's custodial rights. When he did that, I had two choices: I could put the kids back in the Puerto Rican foster care system or take custody of them and raise them myself.
As someone who never wanted kids, this was an agonizing decision. I have always wanted my life's work to be my career, and after several months of caring for them on my own, I knew the high cost of being a single mother of three. I knew that my old life -- a life that I loved -- would be over, and it ripped me apart to have to make that decision. But I couldn't let them go back into the system. As hard as it was to think about my personal and financial freedom being traded in for endless cleaning and constant sleep-deprivation, there was no way I could send them back. They are happy and thriving, and I won't jeopardize that. I love them too much.
Last week I was finally awarded custody and we were cleared to leave Puerto Rico. Now that I have full legal responsibility for three kids, I don't have the luxury of quitting my job to move across the country like I had planned, so, instead, the four of us are moving back to Maryland where my work is.
But in Maryland, we have nothing to go back to; no home, no car, no furniture, no housewares, and no winter wardrobe for these three little tadpoles who have lived on a tropical island for the last two years. Everything that I own fits in two suitcases, so even though I know that I'm doing the right thing, the enormity of taking on this responsibility feels totally overwhelming.
Our lease here in Puerto Rico ends on November 30th. That means we have one week to get all of our ducks in a row before we fly back to Maryland, and I need your help. I know I can do this, but I can't do it alone. Whatever is in your means, please, will you contribute? Because the reality is that I do have something -- I have an incredible network of friends and family that love and support us, and you all will be the wind that carries us through.
All of my love and deepest gratitude,
Cristie
Organizer
Cristie Cole
Organizer
Punta Higuero Lighthouse, PR