An older father from Bellingham, Washington, writes to a woman in Tennessee after reading a copy of a book the woman had written about her family.
Sunday, March 5, 2006, nearly 9:00 a.m. in the morning here~
Dear Ma'am~
You don't know me, and I don't figure you will write back to me; still, just the same, I read your story, and I felt compelled to write to you. I hope you don't mind.
My name is Donald (Don) Hickmon. I am in my mid-sixties, and I and my wife, Amelie, have seven children, five of whom who happen to be adopted. Our children are named Reece Dale (15), Erinn Michelle (13), Howard Timothy (10), Gage Keith (8), Heather Lindsay (7), Brian Edward (5), and Tam Hy (we call her Trinity Grace), who is our youngest at two. I am retired from General Motors (worked there nearly 30 years), and my (second) wife is a homeschooling instructor. We live in Bellingham, Washington, in the Pacific Northwest; we have lived here all our lives. I was a widower until four and a half years ago, which was when I met Amelia Duggar. I have since married her, and now I am starting my life anew.
In case you were wondering, Amelie is my second wife. My first wife, Ellen, died of complications from lupus. That was eight years ago. My first wife and I were married 25 years. But then I met Amelie, and she and I fell in love; shortly thereafter, we were married, where we were determined to add to our family. At the time I only had Reece and Erinn; the others (Howard, Gage, Heather, Brian, and Trinity) came later, the most recent one being Trinity, who joined our family just six months ago from Korea. Amelie and I have been married for about four years now, and we couldn't be happier.
I read your book, "...And The Miracles Continue", and I was moved to tears when I read your inspiring story. I am so glad that you and your husband have made taking in unwanted children your Ministry. I am glad that children who were once unloved or considered "unadoptable" now have a chance to grow and flourish in your loving home. They are the lucky ones; so many children are out there with nobody to love them or care for them, and there are staggering amounts of children who are ensconced in the foster care system.
My wife (my first wife) and I were foster parents (we took care of over 20 children, and we still keep in touch with some of them today), but we decided to try adoption after we got attached to one of the kids, and now we have adopted four beautiful children.
Trinity, as I mentioned just a while ago, is from South Korea, and Brian is from Arizona (he is Native American). Howard is from Siberia, in Russia, Heather is from Jamaica, and Gage is from Haiti. Yet they are still our chldren, and we have fallen in love with each of them. Our two natural children, Reece and Erinn, love them, too, unconditionally and fully.
Please tell me more about yourself. I would like to know if you have experienced the chaos and confusion that having a large family brings (I am sure you have). I just can't imagine being the parents to FIFTY-TWO children! WOW, you must be related to the Energizer Bunny or SuperWoman! How do you have time to do ANYTHING after dealing with all your children??
Well, I will go for now. I do hope to hear from you soon. Take care, and God bless!
Most sincerely, Don Hickmon in Washington State (father to seven children, five adopted).
Fostering children is a tremendous and fulfilling deed, giving vulnerable and displaced children a sense of love, care and stability in their fragile lives
And the miracles continue as you take us on a meandering tale of inspiration and sacrifice in your letters from Washington
I always come away from your Den, Karen with renewed zest and enthusiasm for life
You have a heart of gold !
Love and Blessings
Peter
In "A Touch of Your Presence" are words that would inspire, encourage and strengthen one's soul when faced with challenges and difficulties and to know the awesomeness of God's power.
