Liz’s dream to be a mom came true thanks to a chance meeting in a hospital

Liz Smith had two dreams: to be a nurse and to become a mom. She reached her career goal quickly but, at 43, her heart still ached to have a baby to love. Then a chance meeting in the hospital corridor with a tiny patient in need led to a dream come true—for both of them!

Nurse Supervisor Liz Smith was making her way down the corridor of Boston’s Franciscan Children’s hospital when she passed another nurse wheeling an infant…and stopped abruptly.

“Oh, my goodness!” Liz said with a smile, gazing at the baby girl’s huge, bright blue eyes and one soft curl. “Who is this beautiful little angel?”

“This is Gisele,” the nurse said, explaining the then-8month-old had been born premature and addicted to opiates at another hospital. “When she was three months old, the state took custody and moved her here because she had lung and feeding issues that needed our specialized care.”

“So she’s been in a hospital her whole life,” Liz sighed.

“Yes, and saddest of all, she hasn’t had one single visitor,” the nurse shared.

Liz’s heart clenched and, as she locked eyes with Gisele, the Lowell, Massachusetts, single

43-year-old’s nurturing instincts bubbled up. She just needs someone to love her, Liz thought.

The perfect match

Growing up, Liz was sure of two things: She wanted to have kids and she wanted to become a nurse, just like her mom. After completing nursing school, Liz’s career had progressed quickly. But by her early 40s, Liz was still unmarried. And while she’d thrown herself into the role of doting aunt, she couldn’t deny the yearning in her heart to have a child of her own to love.

Then, in April 2017, fate stepped in, putting her and Gisele in the same hallway. “How’s she doing?” Liz asked Gisele’s nurse a few days after they met. “Much better,” the nurse said. In fact, she told Liz that Gisele was ready to leave the hospital and her medical team was looking for a caretaker who could provide a nurturing home while being responsible for her health needs.

“Her favorite song is, ‘ You Are My Sunshine,’ and when she sings it, I think, You have no idea”

We pay $250!

Liz felt an unexplainable pull on her heart. There was something about Gisele…she just felt they had been meant to meet.

I have the training to care for her, she realized. So Liz told Gisele’s doctor, “I’ll take her!”

An undeniable bond

Liz applied to be Gisele’s foster mom, and meanwhile, every day after work, she sat by Gisele’s crib and talked to her in a soft voice. And one day, just three weeks later, Liz told Gisele, “You’re coming home with me!”

But as much as she enjoyed caring for Gisele, Liz couldn’t help feeling a tug of sadness. The goal of foster care was reunification with the biological parents. As a professional, Liz understood. But when Gisele wrapped her tiny hand around Liz’s finger, she felt a powerful and undeniable bond.

So that summer, when Gisele’s parents terminated their rights, Liz breathed in joyful relief. And she wept with joy when, that fall, a judge declared her Gisele’s legal mom.

With Liz’s love, Gisele flourished, and today, she is 3, healthy and happy. Now she’s always smiling—and singing .

“Gisele’s favorite song is ‘You Are my Sunshine’ and every time she sings it, I think, You have no idea,” beams Liz. “I tell people, be open to the unexpected blessings that come along. They often bring the greatest joy!”

— Michelle Abrams