“I’m 82, going on 83. And I don’t have any intentions of learning how to operate or even turn on a computer. I don’t want nothing to do except fish, be around my daughter, my grandkids and stuff like that. When you get to be … Continue readingDaughter ‘greatest thing that’s ever happened to me’
“I’m from Kosovo. I grew up on a farm in the countryside. You had to listen to what your daddy told you. I got up early to feed the cows. I worked hard every day. When I was 18 or 19, I started working at … Continue reading‘God is number one, the United States is number two’
“My wife and I have four kids and nine grandkids. Our kids are in Beaumont, but we live in Baytown. I travel to Beaumont for work. So when I get off, I pick up some of the grandkids and bring them home with me. When … Continue readingBiggest challenge keeping grandchildren happy
“I’m a first-generation Mexican-American. My parents migrated here when they were teens for a better life, better job opportunities. It really worked out well for them. My mom works for a veterinarian and my dad works construction, installing ceramic floor tiles, carpets, that kind of … Continue readingLooking at both sides of immigration debate
“There are four of us, and we’re all adopted. I never knew my biological parents. When I was 25, I did find out their names. But I never tracked them down. From what I understand, they had a child and could not afford another one. … Continue readingAdoptee thankful for only parents she ever knew
“I’m a native Houstonian. Raised in the Denver Harbor area. It was a lower-income neighborhood, practically a ghetto. It was pretty rough. A lot of gang members and stuff like that. I grew up with six brothers, and I was the oldest. There were so … Continue readingEducation key to realizing dream of helping others
“They just turned 7 months old. They don’t get out much. This is the first time for them at the park. First time ever in a swing. “My partner and I wanted to start a family really bad. We did what you call an IUI … Continue readingDouble the love, thanks to insemination procedure
“I just finished my first semester at Northwestern State University in Louisiana. I’m there on a soccer scholarship. I had a few other offers, but I didn’t want to go too far away from home. It’s just a four-hour drive to Natchitoches. “At the same … Continue readingShe’s enjoying college experience, away from home
“When I was in foster care I would think, ‘Why, God? Why did this happen to me? What have I done to deserve this?’ Then I started thinking that maybe I was placed in this situation so I could show how strong I really am. … Continue readingAdopted teenager: ‘I’m one of the lucky ones’
“The adoption process was 18 months long. We knew it would be challenging. But we had no idea how complicated and interrogating it would get. “We had home visits. We had interviews. We had background checks every three months. They made us do fingerprinting every … Continue readingAdoption process was emotional roller coaster