Emma Patterson, an inspiring single mom with a huge heart, raises nearly 40 kids in addition to her own.
To Emma, loving a child isn’t about providing a roof over a child’s head; it’s a lifestyle. She’s dedicated her life to fostering and loving children since opening her home in the 1980s, in addition to four of her biological kids. At 88, Emma is retiring after decades of selfless service, having profoundly impacted the lives of countless young people.
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Emma’s journey into fostering began in an unassuming way. Her own children would bring home friends who needed help, whether they required winter coats, food, or just a place to stay. Recognizing these children's need for care and love, Emma embraced the role of a nurturing mother. Her home became a sanctuary for many, including newborns from hospitals who had nowhere else to go.
“My children started bringing children home that the parents more or less had discarded. Some of kids maybe didn’t have coats or needed shoes. Some were just hungry and my children would bring them home and I would do the best I could,” she said. She would foster as many as nine kids at a time. This included infants, some as young as a day old.
“They were born drug-addicted babies and they couldn’t let them go home with their parents. They stayed with me all of their lives,” she added.
Emma views her role as a foster parent not merely as an act of kindness but as a lifestyle rooted in deep, personal values. “Loving children isn’t just an act of kindness; it’s a way of life,” she said. “I believe that by offering them a loving environment, we give them the foundation to grow into compassionate and capable adults.”
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After her last foster child graduated from high school, she received recognition from Montgomery County for her remarkable dedication. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, who presented her with an award, expressed his admiration, saying, "I am happy to honor Ms. Patterson for her dedication to our community over all these years. I hope her story inspires others to help vulnerable children and families as well."
Where did Emma get this ocean-deep well of love to nurture so many kids? She thanks both of her grandmothers for setting the example of loving others. She wanted to offer that same warmth and care to every child who came through her door.
Reflecting on her experience, Emma finds her greatest joy in watching her foster children flourish. "I’m very proud of all of the children because they have turned out to be wonderful human beings. I’m just so proud of them, and it brings me immense joy to know that the little bit of something I was able to give them helped them achieve so much,” she said.
Emma Patterson’s legacy is one of unwavering love and devotion. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the profound difference one person can make, inspiring others to embrace a lifestyle of compassion and open their hearts and homes to those in need.
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Matthew 25:40 "The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"
h/t: ABC News
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