A Child is Waiting: Cheerful Emily Will Never Forget You -- or Your Pet

By Honey Murray for Digital First Media

Frogs, dogs and shrimp…

When asked what they’ve been up to lately, most teenagers probably wouldn’t enthusiastically answer, “Catching frogs!” like sixteen-year-old Emily does, allowing herself a moment of goofy silliness as she jumps like a frog and shows her adoption worker some she’s just caught – and named.

“Emily absolutely loves animals,” her adoption worker says. “And she has a smile that lights up the room. She’s outgoing, personable and resilient – and her memory is unbelievable!”

“Emily learned that I have a dog named Duchess,” says her worker. “Now, whenever I see Emily, she asks, ‘How is Duchess doing?’ Or, talking about food, Emily will say, ‘You like seafood, but you don’t like shrimp, right?’ Even though she does lag behind in grade level work, it’s just amazing how she focuses in on others and remembers everything about them. I think that’s really awesome!”

Saddling up

Emily loves to sing, and she participates in her school’s choir class. She also enjoys gymnastics, cheerleading, swimming, arts and crafts (she’s made papier mache masks), as well as outdoor activities like climbing trees and playing with friends.

“I like food, playing with Barbie dolls, taking care of animals and learning about them,” Emily says.

“On a camping trip, Emily was able to go horseback riding. When she told me about it,” her adoption worker said, “she was so excited, and her face was so happy. And again, I was amazed how much she learned about the different types of saddles and riding equipment.”

An entrepreneur’s dreams

Emily has many dreams. One day, she’d like to own a pet store or a bakery.

But her biggest hope, before she ages out of the foster care system, is that she will be able to share her adult life with a family of her own. “I’d like to be part of a forever family who cares about me.”

Her adoption worker believes a placement for Emily would require two parents who could give her focused support and individual attention and be committed to maintaining her care and appointments in a home where she is, preferably, the only child.

“Emily would also benefit from a mentor,” her worker says, “someone who’d call her, see her regularly, and share special activities with her.”

A home on a farm

Emily would especially like to be adopted by a family on a farm with plenty of animals, including a horse or goat, and a Great Dane.

“I’d like to do lots of things with my family,” Emily said, “Shop with them, bake with them, go out to eat with them. And, they’d love me.”

For more information about adoption or mentoring, contact Orchards Children’s Services of Southfield at 855-694-7301, or visit www.orchards.org.