That’s when she started looking into becoming a foster or adoptive single parent.

Standing on the Edge

As a librarian, Marianne specialized in research and looking for and finding resources. She first explored the idea of foster parenting.

“Being a single female working full-time, I did not feel I could give a foster child the attention and support he or she would need. So I went to an international adoption seminar. I found that because of my single status, and my age, there were very few countries from which I was qualified to adopt. I wanted siblings, and fairly young so that there would not be overburdening emotional and psychological trauma already introduced into their lives. I found out that, at that time, Russia was allowing single females over the age of fifty to adopt.”

Still, she was skeptical. Her friends and family stepped in, helping Marianne ready herself for the challenge of adopting children from the other side of the world.

“My family helped prepare me by their love and support,” says Marianne. “And because of the belief my husband had had in my strength and character, I gained the confidence to undertake this challenge. Not one of my friends expressed one doubt that I would be a good mom.”