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Guest Blog-Bill and Rosemary by Whitney Gilliard

10/16/2017

4 Comments

 
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“When it is dark I will always crack the door so there is light. When you feel alone, I will show you a picture of your son and remind you that you will never be alone again. When you feel unloved, look  at me and you’ll know without a doubt that you are loved. When you feel weak, i’ll show you a picture of the strongest people I have ever met- you. I was just thinking of how fantastic you are and wanted to tell you. Hope you are having a fabulous day sweetie.”- Love mom.


That was the text my foster mother, whom I now call mom, sent me one evening. I starred that that message long and hard and flashbacks came through of the times I was in foster care.

I was in foster care after running away at the age of 14. The home I ran away from,was filled with abuse day in and day out from a man close to the family. He later on committed suicide leaving me a letter that I never read. When I ran away I thought the pain was all over. I thought that I was finally free and is able to go to a good home. My biological mother was nowhere to be found. The birth certificates that was sent to her potential homes were sent back. A reminder that I was not wanted. I got into a lot of trouble growing up. I had problems with intimacy, the law, making friends, and school. Each day in foster care was a day waking up to watch the world around me collapse deeper and deeper into the earth. Every placement I was sent to confirmed the thought, that a life like this, is not a life worth living. Every medication I was forced to take was like suicide teasing me. Soon it just became dark when my biological father passed away. The world was dark and my heart was empty, and I am alone.
My education suffered tremendously. There was a time I actually said outloud “I never thought I would see so many letter of the alphabet in one report card”. But that didn’t matter, because in a few weeks or months later I would have to pick up my trash bag suitcase and go to another placement. Just before I went to high school year two couples came into my life and said enough was enough. Their names were Bill and Rosemary.

Bill and Rosemary walked into my group home with the biggest smile that I have ever seen on a human being. Their voice was chipper and their eyes glowed with happiness. I was not ready for the life that they had prepared for me. A life of success. From times of being disappointed and tired of being moved from one placement to another due to a bad attitude, I thought I would save them a trip. I was witty in my questions and just wanted to know why they are doing this for me. I knew that a parentless child with a background that was dirty as mud don’t belong to people like them. But since they day they said “we want to take you home and give you a good life”, they have done so ever since. My foster parents had to answer to questions that belonged to the people who placed me on this earth. They had to deal with pain that they didn’t create. They allowed their life to be messy because to them, I was worth it. After numerous times of not letting go, and not giving up on me. I found myself walking across the stage of my high school graduation, holding a diploma I would have never thought would be mine. A few years later, in the delivery room, there they stood holding my son as proud grandparents. The cycle of abuse and generations of pain have finally ended. All because a couple refused to give up on me.
I texted my mother back that evening and asked if I could call her. She said yes, and I did. I told her about my day and how her grandson was with potty training. After a life of emptiness, the evening’s call ended with “I love you sweetie, have a good night”. Ever since my parents came  into my life, I knew that no matter what tomorrow brings, I can make it.

Whitney Gilliard aged out of the foster care system, and is now a strong advocate for foster care. Whitney is a Lifecoach and a mentor.  Find out more about Whitney at Whitney Gilliard and Company. 



4 Comments
Sandy
10/16/2017 06:04:28 pm

What a wonderful, warm, loving and heartfelt blog. I can feel the love! So very happy for all of you❤️️

Reply
Eduardo Quintana link
10/24/2017 07:48:37 pm

Hello
I am the CEO and founder of Manly Training Ministries. I would love to publish your story on my website for our National Adoption Month Call to Action. I am requesting permission to share your story with over 10,000 followers that we have. I also have a link to Litghtworkers.com a website created by Roma Downey in which I have an author page. Your story could potentially inspire millions of people across the globe. If you allow me to share your story on Manly Training, let me know as soon as possible so I can format it and schedule it.

Reply
Dr.John DeGarmo
10/25/2017 04:45:02 am

Thank you for asking. By all means, Eduardo, you are most welcome to use this blog, as well as several other resources, videos, etc from this website. We are here to serve.

Reply
Jennifer Sanchez
8/26/2021 01:39:52 am

Many people have written articles about how they were helped but I am very grateful to this great man who brought my ex-husband back to me. This testimony is a true story and my name is Jennifer Sanchez. When I came in contact with this man was also through a testimony written about him helping with a cure for Herpes Virus and I have also encountered many testimonies about how he has been helping others with their life. To get back with an ex is one of the most innermost feelings many people would love to experience especially as those memories with our ex always cloud our mind when someone else does some of those things our ex used to do. I was a single parent of two boys for almost 6 years and though my ex-husband was not staying with me and the kids I still wish someday he will return to me. This doctor I encountered is known as Dr. Odunga helped me with my wishes and I am happy to write on this website that my ex-husband is back with me. I am very happy to share the testimony with everyone so that they too can meet this great doctor and solve their problems. I don't know what others might feel about getting their ex back in their life but I always know there is a blessing in disguise with just a single re-connection with an ex. If you want to successfully get back with your ex or facing an infertility problem, contact this great man at odungaspelltemple@gmail.com Or WhatsApp/Call +2348167159012 and share an awesome testimony too just as I did

Reply



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    AUTHOR
    Dr. John DeGarmo is the founder and director of The Foster Care Institute, and is recognized as a leading expert in foster care. Dr. John is an TEDX Talk speaker, international trainer and speaker, consultant, author, and most importantly, a father.  He has been a foster parent  with over 60 children who have come to live in his home from adoption and foster care. He is the author of many books, including the  book  
    The Foster Care Survival Guide: The Essential Book for Today's Foster Parents.

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