Patrick decided to adopt three children after being tasked with repairing the roof of an orphanage, impressing all his co-workers. He once found something incredible in the youngest child’s stroller, but what happened next was much more amazing.
“It’s just unbelievable. You’re not even married yet!”
“They let you do that? I believed that single fathers didn’t get a chance in orphanages!”
“Wow. I’m happy for you, man! Text me if you need any advice. Remember, I have five kids of my own.”
Patrick grinned as he introduced the three children he intended to adopt from a nearby orphanage in Sacramento, despite all the criticism from his co-workers. He was their foster parent for now, but the social worker suggested they could expedite the adoption if all went well.
Patrick noticed that there was something strange in his pram. He frowned as he saw it was a piece of paper. “What is it? Did you catch something, kid?”
They had never visited the headquarters of their construction and repair company before. All the young children Patrick brought in were under the age of five, and his co-workers flocked over to them.
How easy it was for Patrick to become a step-parent shocked him. The social worker claimed that due to the overcapacity of the system, anyone wishing to foster or adopt would be welcomed and helped as soon as possible.
Patrick was in awe of how it all turned out. His boss, Mr. Carlson, originally assigned him to repair the roof of the orphanage. Mr. Carlson said, “We only need exceptional people for this kind of work, so I put you in charge of this project and you can choose the team.”
The fact that Mr. Carlson looked up to him in this regard and selected only the best candidates for this position pleased Patrick because those unfortunate children needed a reliable roof over their heads. He had a lot of fun working on the project and accomplished more than he expected.
When he got to know some of the children, he saw three little boys whose parents had just died. The staff said that getting them all into one family would be quite difficult and it was worrying.
At night, Patrick reflected on these children and his own past. He was adopted at the age of seven. He was also an orphan. The most devoted people in the world were his parents. He was aware that he would eventually like to adopt as well, but he never thought about it when he was still single.
Patrick decided to take care of the three children while his team finished repairing the roof. He spoke to the staff and the social worker and they immediately went to work. Although they were all still very young, his apartment was big enough for the three of them, but Patrick was now trying to find a bigger home for his growing family.
Naturally, his parents were happy to become grandparents so soon, especially since they were starting to worry that their son would never settle down and have children of his own. They offered to babysit the boys while Patrick worked because they had three boys to spoil. He was overjoyed that things were going well for this “instant family”.
Knowing that his co-workers’ witty jabs at him were good fun, he laughed them off and thanked them for wishing him and his new family well.
Even Mr. Carlson, who was in his office, left to join the younger boys, ages three and five, in their play. The youngest child, who was one and a half years old, was dozing in his pram. All in all, Patrick thought it was a great day and said goodbye to his friends, and headed home.
Being a single father was challenging, especially because of how active these kids were. Still, they slept soundly at night, knowing they could count on him and their new family.
Patrick noticed something odd in his stroller as he moved his youngest child from the stroller to his crib in his room. It appeared to be some kind of paper. “What is that? Did you catch something, baby?” “Knowing the baby wouldn’t answer, he asked the infant.
When he grabbed it, he saw that it was an envelope addressed to him. Even worse, it carried the branding of his business. He opened the envelope and asked, “Is this something from Mr. Carlson?”
After reading the contents of the letter, he almost dropped it entirely. His forehead began to sweat, and for a brief moment, he feared he might pass out in the nursery. Fortunately, he managed to stand up and support himself by placing his hand on the wall.
A check was written. For $250,000. He was not even able to understand the amount. Then he noticed a small note.
“Patrick, I’m really happy for you. It’s a gift for your new family and for you. Happy birthday, Mr. Carlson.”
Patrick’s eyes began to water as he couldn’t believe it and the paper began to blur. That was more than enough for a down payment on a new house, and he could use the remaining money to pay his children’s adoption fees and other expenses.
He told his supervisor exactly what he was thinking the next day when they talked.
“Patrick, you deserved it. I know few individuals who would defend a strange young man in such a situation,” Carlson explained. “I thought about what to do with my money. I thought about what I could do to help others because my kids and grandkids had more than enough to last them a lifetime. Man, you inspired me.”
Patrick hugged the senior citizen who had always been an inspiration and vowed to handle the money well for his family.
What can we take away from this narrative?
Decent individuals experience pleasant things. Patrick, a single father, has adopted three young brothers, and his boss Karma shows his appreciation by giving him a nice gift.
Multiple single-parent adoptions should be allowed. Couples struggle to get approval for adoption or foster care, but single people struggle even more. Although the idea of family has evolved over time, everyone, regardless of marital status, is capable of loving and caring for a child.