Strong Bond

What a strong bond that Michael and I have. Amazing how so, when he is not my biological child and I am now 57 years old.

This wonderful blessing in my life began 4 years ago when my niece had gotten into trouble and looking at spending time in prison. When she was arrested in May 2011 I knew that her son Michael was with a man that was not his father and was unable to take care of him. Her oldest daughter had been in and out of foster homes for over 2 years. She was now living with her grandfather and step-grandmother. I knew that due to their age as well they would not be able to take another small child. Since Michael’s father was unknown I became worried that poor little Michael would have to experience the same if not worse than his sister had already lived through. So I went to get Michael and had no problem taking Michael home with me.

I became his guardian when his mother went to prison in 2011. I had all hopes that my niece would get her act together when she got out and would be able to take care of both her children, Michael and his sister Angel.

As time marched on my niece had decided to go back with Angel’s father who by then had custody of her. I was very uncomfortable with Michael going to live there as there had been previous abuse in the home and relationship and Michael was not his biological son and was conceived while they had been separated. As it turned out, when my niece got out of prison she did go back to live with her daughter’s father and almost ex-husband.

She made no attempt to come and see Michael and rarely even called about him. In June 2012 my niece was murdered. Her daughter’s father was arrested and charged with the murder.

Michael’s sister Angel again went back to live with her grandfather and step-grandmother. Michael stayed with me. My husband and I had then bonded with Michael so strongly that we decided to adopt him. In December of 2012 the adoption was final and now Michael is our son in every way possible.

We are so very grateful for this wonderful blessing in our life. So grateful that Michael will never have to live in the turmoil his sister has endured in her life. I pray he grows to be a happy, and healthy young man.

I attached a picture of all three of us on the day that Michael’s adoption was final.

Thank you and God bless
–Fulkerson Family, Evansville, IN