The Times West Virginian newspaper had a Mother's Day contest in which it asked people to submit letters about their mothers. One of the entries came from Melanie Carpenter, who wrote about her mother Rosemary.

"My mother is a very special lady. She has been a mentor and inspiration and a blessing to me for the past 50 years. Although she is up in years, she is the one I can still go to for guidance, comfort and love. Let me explain why she is so special, see I was chosen by her. I am an adopted child."

Rosemary is also mother to two other adopted children, and has housed more than 20 foster children. Melanie recalls all the times her mother has been there, and is still there for her and her children, guiding them on the "right road through life." Read more at TimesWV.com.

Labels: foster_care, mothers, parenting