The Woman Who Never Bore a Child Becomes a Mother to 81 Babies

My mother has six children, and she helped raise all her grandchildren. But, at the end of her life, the one who loved her the most was her great-grandchild.

There is no other way to put it, but the hardest job is to be a mother. And because life isn't perfect, some babies have to be separated from their real moms and be loved and cared for by their foster moms or what is now being called resource parents.

What is a Resource Parent?

A resource parent, or resource family, is the new umbrella term used in the state of California to refer to adoptive or foster parents and many other types of out-of-home caregivers.

A resource parent is trained and approved to provide foster and adoptive care to children and teenagers. Regardless of the needs of the child or teen, which can vary widely, the term resource parent is used. It is a universal term that can be used in place of foster parents, adoptive parents, foster-to-adopt parents, or kinship caregivers. Each is a critical partner for Uplift Family Services in providing care and building a path to success for children and teens in California.

And that has been the life of Linda Owens, to be a mom to a baby until the baby finds a permanent home. Linda is a foster mom.

In the last 34 years, Linda has fostered 81 babies. It all started in 1987 when she met a foster mom and told herself she could become a foster mom too.

Linda Owens has cared for a 7-week-old baby girl since she left the hospital as a newborn. She is the 81st infant Owens has brought into her home in 34 years as a resource parent.Thirty-four years after and 81 babies, she is awarded the Jefferson Award in the Bay Area.

"It's a challenging job, but very rewarding," Owens said.

Now 78 years old and retired, she still does what she believes is a gift God handed down to her for her to do.

Although, as a foster parent, she receives a stipend from the government, she doesn't do it for the money. In fact, with the money she receives, she buys a supply of baby gear and clothes on hand; and when that isn't enough, some, bought with her own money.

After all, it's a labor of love.

Most of the babies that Linda took under her wings were born under challenging circumstances. Some are even exposed to drugs while in the womb, which opens the baby to different difficulties in life, from addiction to behavioral problems.

But Linda never wavered in her optimism that with love, these children will grow up in their adoptive family, feeling loved and equipped to face the realities of life.

"She's always been very optimistic, always determined to give these babies the best possible start in their lives," said Dr. Hiramatsu.

Linda remembers each one of 81 foster babies, the oldest being 37 years old. Some of them have reestablished contact with her.

She knows that her job is done when the babies need to go with their adoptive family. Goodbyes are never easy for Linda, but, as she said.

"It makes you feel good that you fulfilled your job."

As she bids the babies goodbye, she kisses them on the forehead, makes a wish that everything will be for the best, and say,

I love you.

As a foster mom, the babies are generally with her for a few days or a few months; a few have stayed longer.

Linda learned how to say goodbye to her babies as she calls them because that is her role to be their first mom until they find the mom who would take care of them for the rest of their lives.