An older sister shoulders a lot of responsibility. Whether they’ve got a few years of seniority or there’s a big age gap, big sis often gets stuck with playing chauffeur or doing a million other things for the little ones. But when push comes to shove, the pain in the butt of having a younger sibling is instantly replaced with fierce loyalty the moment they need an advocate.
A Washington woman was navigating another set of responsibilities, those of the motherly kind, when horrible news left her infant half brother’s wellbeing in question. The emotional toll never stopped this older sister from showing up for her brother in the way he needed most…
One look at Molly Schultz’s motherhood blog, Tried & True Mama, shows she didn’t shy away from a parenting challenge. The 27-year-old served as the glue of her household, which constantly echoed with the giggles and footsteps of her four curly headed daughters.
Tried and True Mama
Though she and her husband swear they didn’t plan it, all of their girl’s names have a common theme. Presley, Sawyer, and identical twins Lennon and Halen have the surnames of famous figures for their first names.
Molly Schultz / Instagram
As a full-time mom, Molly developed a parenting philosophy that kept everything in perspective. So no matter how many car ride tantrums, sticky counter tops, or hundreds of repeated Doc McStuffins viewings she had to endure, she could reset, and concentrate on what truly mattered.
Molly Schultz / Instagram
Molly shared on her blog, “We live with the intention of a simplistic childhood, not focusing too much on materialistic things, but rather experiences and memories.” Along with her husband Tim, she prioritized family.
Tried and True Mama
With each arrival of a new Schultz daughter, Molly’s plate got a bit fuller. The young couple moved several times around the west coast, finally settling in Washington state. But while her own family blossomed, thousands of miles away, another part of her family was facing tragedy.
Tried and True Mama
Molly’s father Craig Stephenson was changing diapers and folding onesies for the second time in his life. While Molly was awake with fussy babies, so was her dad several states away. Craig and his wife had welcomed a brand new baby boy on November 13th, 2013.
Tried and True Mama
All the way over in Michigan, Craig and his wife were enjoying little Easton. Unfortunately, due to her hectic juggling act with her own youngsters, Molly wasn’t able to visit her baby brother as much as she’d have liked.
But a tragic, unfair twist of fate sent Molly packing her bags and flying out to Michigan. Shortly after Easton’s second birthday, Craig received a world-shattering medical diagnosis that put a halt on his plans to watch his baby boy grow up.
Tried and True Mama
Months before his 50th birthday, doctors confirmed that Craig was suffering from stage four pancreatic cancer. The seriousness of the diagnosis meant he was left with a matter of months to arrange his affairs and enjoy life with his son.
Tried and True Mama
The diagnosis hit Molly like a bucket of ice water. Distance kept them apart, but Molly and her dad were incredibly close. She ached for the years that they would lose, that he would miss out on his grandchildren, and even worse, on Easton.
Tried and True Mama
Less than ten years ago, Craig had been pacing the sideline of the fields coaching Molly’s lacrosse team. His current chores included chasing his toddler and picking up toys. How could it be possible that a guy with so much life could be dealt such a hand?
Tried and True Mama
In the next few months, Craig and his family were gravely preparing for the end of his life. His cancer became even more progressive, and the physical toll transformed the once healthy man. Sadly, another tragedy was on its way…
Tried and True
Despite learning to answer the phone with trepidation, Molly was still gutted by the words coming across the other line. One day after celebrating his 50th birthday, Craig’s wife overdosed on heroin. A horrible hidden family truth could no longer be ignored.
Tried and True Mama / Facebook
“Heroin was a secret in my family,” Molly wrote in a blog post. “It was a secret people tried to bury deep down until its ugly mask came out full force. Sadly, Easton was home with her at the time.
Tried and True Mama
Molly’s 85-year-old grandfather discovered him when he stopped by the house for a late-morning visit. He was the one who called the EMTs, but sadly, it was too late to save Easton’s mother.
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Molly didn’t have to think twice. She packed up her twins and boarded a plane. Her mind darted through possible explanations. Was her father aware of his wife’s heroin addiction? How could he keep this secret from her?
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However, the moment she reached the door of her father’s hospital room and saw his cancer-devastated appearance, her questions and accusations melted away. Rage and anger were useless at a time like this.
Tried and True Mama
Together the entire family had to stifle their grief the best they could. Time was limited, and there needed to be a plan for Easton’s future. Compartmentalizing the heavyweight of two unbearable tragedies, Molly and her family mulled over the choices for her brother.
Tried and True Mama / Facebook
The group consensus kept landing on one option: Easton would go live with Molly in Washington. Molly and Tim had enough room, and with the company of their four little girls, Easton would fit in seamlessly. Plus, Craig would have the comfort of knowing his son was unconditionally adored by his older sister.
Once the decision was made, it wasn’t as simple as packing Easton’s bags and purchasing airfare. Legal steps had to be taken, and fast. Craig was growing sicker, and the arrangements rested on his signatures.
Tried and True Mama
Molly remembered, “I tried so hard to imagine the pain and sacrifice my father must have felt in those moments. He knew he wasn’t going to live much longer. But he sat there with his mind as sharp as ever, signing away his rights as a father.”
Education Skills Partner / Flickr
Friday, March 11th, 2016, marked the day Craig signed over guardianship of Easton to Molly. By Monday, they’d gotten the good news: the judge had granted their proposal. Craig was so relieved. “Oh Molly,” he said, “that makes me so happy. I love you so much.”
Tried and True Mama
However, the very next day, Craig succumbed to his illness. It was almost as if he had been saving his strength to ensure Easton’s security, and he could finally rest.
Molly Schultz
This sentiment rang true for Molly. “I had heard stories of people hanging on to say goodbye to family members or hanging on to watch their kids graduate. But this was the first time I actually believed in it.”
Nataly / Flickr
Twelve days after dawning black for her step mother’s funeral, Molly solemnly repeated the ritual to attend her father’s services. Now her biggest physical reminder of her father was the innocent two-year-old orphaned brother that shared her smile.
Jogvan Horn / Flickr
However, in the aftermath of her father’s death, Molly received all the paperwork associated with becoming the guardian of her brother. The medical folder was much thicker than that of the average toddler.
Omaha
Paging through, Molly felt her stomach clench in renewed fury. At the time of his birth, Easton was addicted to heroin. What she had previously believed to be “stomach issues” was actually a several weeks long opioid withdrawal in the NICU.
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“I was so angry at my dad. I sat in the car until there were no tears left.” Molly wished she could turn back the clock and demand answers from her father. As time passed, she made the choice to let her anger go.
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Eventually, Molly realized the disease isn’t a choice, and effects even well-intended parents. To move forward, she chose forgiveness. “She gave me my son. My father gave me my son. For that, I will be forever grateful.”
Tried and True Mama / Facebook
Easton was so little, he had no perception of the awful truth that he’d become an orphan in the span of two weeks time. In an instant, he was sitting at a crowded dinner table in a brand new house, elbow to elbow with unfamiliar girls who were actually his nieces.
Tried and True Mama / Facebook
Not to worry, the little guy settled into his stable surroundings without a hitch. “Once we finally did [it], it was like Easton had always been there. How did we ever live without him?” Molly blogged. However, the legal entanglements weren’t as seamless.
Tried and True Mama / Facebook
From Washington to Michigan, and back several times, the big family trekked to courtroom appearances to officially adopt Easton. Over a year later, the case was transferred to Washington, and a date was set to make him a fully fledged Schultz.
Tried and True Mama
Dressed in corresponding cheery colors, Molly, Tim, their four daughters, and an adorable bespectacled Easton sat down in front of the judge. Rain trickled down outside, and Molly took it as a sign from her father to ease her nerves.
Tried and True Mama / Facebook
Although there was nothing to suggest any legal hiccups, relief washed over Molly once the Judge ruled Easton was, at last, legally her son. They left the courthouse warmed by beautiful post-rain sunshine.
Tried and True Mama / Facebook
Certainly, the complexity of their biological relationships will forever spark questions. Molly quipped, “If we want to get really technical, he’s also the brother-in-law of my husband, his now dad!”
Tried and True Mama / Facebook
The quirkiness of the family dynamic aside, Molly felt as if there had been hints predicting Easton’s future as her son. When his parents were thinking name, they asked for Molly’s opinion (You get three guesses as to which she chose).
Tried and True Mama
More auspicious in Molly’s opinion, was the fact that Easton called her “Mama” from the time he could speak. She chalked this up to his overhearing her own children, but with their eventual transition to mother and son, Molly believed it was predestined.
Tried and True Mama
Easton entering the family was as natural a step as could be hoped for. Craig raised a daughter who understood that even when facing the worst circumstances, your children take priority.