A little girl was abandoned at a hospital without a name or parents. Grace Kriegel Wilson, a foster parent who had previously cared for several children, received an unexpected call from the foster care system about the abandoned baby while shopping at a Superstore.
Despite having no prior knowledge of the baby, Grace and her husband agreed to foster her. The baby, named Safe Surrender after the county, was eventually diagnosed with several birth defects requiring multiple surgeries and living with a colostomy bag for a couple of months. Despite the challenges, Grace and her family continued to care for Safe Surrender, falling increasingly in love with her.
When it was revealed that efforts to locate the baby’s father had been unsuccessful, the Foster Care staff asked Grace if she was willing to adopt Safe Surrender. Without hesitation, Grace agreed and adopted her daughter in a beautiful adoption ceremony with family and friends present. The baby was named Hope.
The journey wasn’t easy, but it was filled with moments that made every obstacle worth it. Grace remembers how fragile Hope was when she first brought her home, yet there was an unspoken strength in her tiny body that tugged at everyone’s heart. Nights were long, often filled with medical emergencies and sleepless hours, but the Wilsons never wavered. Each milestone, from her first smile to her first steps, was celebrated like a miracle. The bond between Grace, her husband, and Hope deepened with each passing day, transforming their house into a home full of hope and laughter despite the challenges they faced together.
As Hope’s surgeries and treatments progressed, her resilience became a source of inspiration not just for her family but also for the medical staff who had cared for her since birth. She was no longer the fragile baby with an uncertain future but a symbol of perseverance. Grace often reflects on the chance phone call that led to their meeting and how it forever changed their lives. Today, Hope’s story is one of strength, love, and the unexpected beauty that comes from caring for someone who needs it the most.
