Foster parent gives more than shelter to her kids — she gives them a mom

Enriquetta Dennett turned up the radio and tried to hold back the tears. With heartache in every direction, all she could do was stare blankly at the road.

In the back seat of her car, the 4-year-old she had taught to walk, talk and "use the potty" was wailing uncontrollably. Enriquetta couldn't bear to turn her head as she drove toward a McDonald's in Harlingen, the place the child's aunt had arranged to meet her.

The view ahead was no more comforting. Down that road stood the golden arches she couldn't pass through, the gate where she would have to say goodbye to the little girl who had had become her own.

Enriquetta reached behind the seat and held Victoria's tiny hand for the last time.

"We've never heard from her," she said. "It was like we'd just gone through a death. It's a very deep pain in my heart. I never thought you can love anyone else's kids. Yes, you can."

Enriquetta has been "mom" to more than 25 children in the past five years. Victoria was the first.

The 55-year-old had no intentions of becoming a foster parent. She had already raised five children and was looking forward to a quiet life with her husband, George.

But God had different plans for her. After a series of dreams and revelations in prayer, the devout Christian came to believe her role as a mother was not yet finished.

"I never dreamed of doing this," she said. "God gave us the calling, and we became submissive to it."

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Many a brow-beaten and broken child has passed through the door to Enriquetta's home - their look is unmistakable.

 "It is a shield that they put on," Enriquetta said. "They're hurting but they don't express it. There's a deep void in their life."

For 5-year-old Diego, there were literally no words to describe that void. When he came under Enriquetta's care a year ago, he was unable to speak - "selectively mute," as she describes it.

A warm and well-mannered 6-year-old has emerged from the silent shell of a child Diego once was. He's quick to share the little things he's got and listens when given instruction.

Enriquetta calls him "papito." To him, as it was with many others, she's "mom."

"They all call me mom," she said. "Mom ... It was the person who birthed you, but it doesn't have that meaning (anymore to me) because of what we have done for those children."

Those children in turn have humbled Enriquetta and strengthened her relationship with God.

"When I'm in a real tough situation with one of the children, I will go and get into prayer," she said. "God, this is so tough - one of the children will come and give me a hug, a kiss and I think, ‘What else could I ask for?'"

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Each morning she remembers all of her children in her prayers - those who have new homes and the four still under her roof.

"I know God is taking care of them in his way," she said.

Still, it's the memory of Victoria that lingers in her mind. It's been three years since the then-4-year-old was adopted by her biological aunt.

"I'm always looking for her," she said. "When I hear someone say ‘Victoria,' I turn around."

Enriquetta longs to see how she's changed, to watch her play, to hear her voice. She's confident faith will cross their paths again.

"I do know I will see her one day."

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Paige Lauren Deiner covers features and entertainment for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4425. You can reach her at (956) 683-4425.