Pet of the Month

Gunner is a sweet 3-year-old cat with beautiful gray markings and soft, medium-length fur. He is very friendly and loving, purrs easily and enjoys being petted. Gunner currently resides in a “cat colony” with three other roommates and gets along well with his companions. He has been neutered, micro-chipped and is up to date with all of his vaccinations.

For information on adopting Gunner or any other furry resident at the shelter, visit the Atlanta Humane Society at 1565 Mansell Road in Alpharetta, or the website at www.atlantahumane.org.

Update on Oatmeal

Many thanks to our Northside Woman readers! The phone was ringing off the hook with inquiries about Oatmeal, April’s Pet of the Month. Oatmeal’s sweet face, happy temperament and sad story of abandonment by his previous owners touched the hearts of many readers. Several adoption applications are currently being reviewed and Oatmeal will soon be welcomed home by a new loving family!

It’s a happy ending for Oatmeal, thanks to Angels Among Us Pet Rescue and Northside Woman readers! Angelsrescue.org.

Joyce Flynn, RN, welcomes her first grandchild, Sophia Ann Sheckels, born on April 20 to Flynn’s daughter, Jackie Sheckels, and husband Mike. Flynn has been a nurse at North Fulton Hospital since 1986.

National Nurses Week is May 6-12,  and in honor of the many nurses who are also Northside Women, we talked with Joyce Flynn, RN, of North Fulton Hospital, who looks back over 40 years of patient care.

By CANDY WAYLOCK
candy@northsidewoman.com

For nearly 40 years, registered nurse Joyce Flynn has helped welcome thousands of babies into the world, and comforted and assured just as many new moms (and dads).

Flynn started working as a nurse in the 1970’s when the stereotype of the starched white uniform and the brisk demeanor of Nurse Ratched of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” were prevalent. To some degree, there was some truth in the perception, yet that has softened considerably over the years.

“First of all, most nurses wear scrubs now!” Flynn laughed. “And today we don’t keep this high professional wall up between us and our patients, which we were encouraged to do so years ago.”

As a nurse in the maternity ward, and a board certified lactation consultant, Flynn also sees her role as an educator, imparting her years of wisdom to her patients, along with medical care.

“I really try to determine what is best for mom, baby and dad, listen to their concerns, and lead them to [decisions], so they can be the best parents they can be,” said Flynn, who has been at North Fulton Hospital since 1986.

The oldest of six children growing up on a farm in Missouri, Flynn felt an early calling to the nursing profession.

“I got the ‘Cherry Ames’ books about nursing when I was nine or 10, and thought it would be cool to be a nurse,” said Flynn, who graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia. “I went to college to be a nurse and never changed [my major].”

Her first job was in Columbia as a pediatric nurse, and though she was certainly qualified to be a nurse, there were aspects of the profession not taught in nursing school that she learned on the job.

“I was so young and I didn’t think about the responsibility you have to help sick people get healthy and provide the education they need,” said Flynn. “It was a bit overwhelming the first couple of years, but I was lucky enough to have a very good mentor.”

Flynn said prospective nurses should volunteer in hospitals so they see the reality of the profession, as opposed to the make-believe world of nursing portrayed on television.

As a registered nurse and certified lactation consultant, Flynn has seen the changes that have come into the world of maternity care over a career that has spanned four decades.

“One of the biggest changes I’ve seen over the years is the move towards ‘family centered’ care, which focuses on taking care of mother, baby and family,” said Flynn, a mother of three who recently welcomed her first grandchild.

Flynn said in the past, maternity care was segmented, with the focus on the mother and child. Today, she noted, it’s not unusual to have dads, grandparents and even siblings involved in the birth process.

Flynn has seen a growing trend towards breastfeeding. When she started her career, the percentage of moms nursing their babies was around 60-70 percent. That number has now reached nearly 95 percent as it becomes the cultural norm for moms to breastfeed.

“When I was in nursing school there was not even a course on breastfeeding,” said Flynn, who noted her job as a lactation consultant did not even exist when she started her career. “Now there is a big emphasis on breast feeding [basics] for medical students and a lot of awareness of the health benefits.”

At the end of the day, Flynn said she never would have been happy in a desk job, and still enjoys the profession she gravitated toward as a child.

“Every day is totally different, and there is no such thing as a routine day in the hospital,” she says. “I get to use all of my skills every day – science, anatomy, communication, listening – and I’m constantly learning.”

So this month, I decided to go all in with the “medical miracle” for skimpy lashes.

The Product

Latisse. 0.3 ml. $100-120 for 4-6 week supply (depends on pharmacy and product usage).

The Promise

The only FDA-approved solution to grow eyelashes, making them noticeably longer, thicker and darker within four to 16 weeks. www.latisse.com.

The Test

For the price of a couple of pairs of shoes, Lattise comes in the tiniest bottle. Seriously – it could fall down the drain. So I was very careful to load only one drop of the solution onto the applicators each night, per the directions, and swipe it along my upper eyelash line. It feels like nothing going on…just a little damp, but no reaction.

The Results

This is the story of patience. It’s so hard to tell if it’s working since the growth is so gradual. It wasn’t until I ran into a friend, whose first words were “Are you wearing fake lashes?” Bingo. It was about four weeks into the test — and the first time I had actually curled my lashes and applied mascara. So the change was definitely apparent. But while the length was there, I never really experienced the thickening the testimonials on the website attest to. I think the product would likely work best for someone who has a healthy number of lashes, but is looking for more length.
Although the side effects can be discoloration of skin and a darkening of the iris, I did not have any adverse reactions.

On another note, the package comes with only 60 applicators, which is a 30-day supply. But the solution lasts longer than the 30 days. So I’m confused. It says to never re-use the applicators, but I can’t see shelling out another $120 for more brushes. So, I just clean the applicators and re-used! I have not gone blind, yet, but I’ll let you know. In looking at the reviews of the product online, it seems many people use their own brushes and throw out the ones that come with the package.

This is not a product for me to use long-term. Yes, I think it lives up to its promise of longer lashes, but I can’t justify shelling out more than $1,000 a year for a product that doesn’t add tremendous value to my life.

The Ratings

Four out of Four stars (for keeping the promise).
Two out of Four stars (for my recommendation).

—By Candy Waylock

Northside Woman's award-winning cover from December 2011, featuring Roswell, Ga., ballerina Caroline Stroud. Photo of Stroud by Devon Morgan/Photosynthesis Studio.

Since we first published Northside Woman more than four years ago, we have kept to our commitment to use only local women as our cover models. On more than 50 covers, we’ve held to that promise, featuring a collection of women you likely see everyday—in your neighborhood, the grocery store, the carpool lane, the sports event and everywhere around the Northside.

So you can imagine our excitement when our December cover was named the best cover during the national Association of Free Community Papers (AFCP) convention, held in Atlanta last month. The annual AFCP Best of the Best awards are given to outstanding community publications from all over the United States. The stunning cover of a local dancer was always one of our favorites – and to receive first place was truly an honor. Northside Woman also placed second for most improved publication and received an honorable mention for overall excellence. It was a wonderful weekend, and even better when we returned bearing awards.

We thank our readers, and especially our advertisers, for allowing us to continue to publish a product each month that is so well received. This is a difficult time for many publications, but we are thriving with the support we receive from the community.

And we are already thinking about next year’s competition. The cover of this month’s magazine will certainly draw attention.  The striking photo of Vernell Washington of Roswell clearly shows how comfortable she is in front of the camera – and how much fun we all had at the photo shoot!

Q: I love Northside Woman, but it’s not delivered to my neighborhood. Where can I get it?
A: You might be able to find a copy at your local grocery store or library. Copies are always available in the news box on the front porch of the Appen Newspapers Inc. office at 319 North Main Street in downtown Alpharetta.

But the easiest way to read Northside Woman is online!  Browse our website to find all of the content from our monthly magazine.  Under “follow us” you can sign up to receive an email reminding you when the latest issue is ready to be viewed online.  You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

By CYNTHIA MORRISON EIKE
Visage Designs by Cynthia, LLC

As kids grow up and head off to school, many moms are returning to the workforce. Transitioning your beauty routine from “stay-at-home mom” to “working mom” can be a snap with these tips.

■ Improve your skin and save time by washing your face every night with multipurpose face cloths. Olay Regenerist Micro-Exfoliating Wet Cleansing Cloths ($7) regenerates skin’s surface at the cellular level as you cleanse. It gently removes dirt, oil and makeup -even waterproof eye makeup. Just wipe away the day’s grime and follow with your nightly skin treatment. Simplify your morning routine by using a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser ($7.50) in the shower. Its convenient pump dispenses just the right amount of lightly foaming cleanser to wash away nightly skin renewal residue without over drying.

■ Prep your skin for makeup with a multipurpose moisturizer that serves as a light coverage foundation while protecting from harmful UV rays. Pur Minerals Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 ($34) can be used alone for a one-step, ultra-natural complexion, or as a hydrating, broad-spectrum base for makeup application.

■ Keep makeup light and fresh for daytime work. After foundation, smooth on a cream based, multipurpose face stick like NYX Stick Blush in Hibiscus ($6) over apples of cheeks, onto lips and lightly into the crease of the eyelid. Follow with a light dusting of translucent powder like Almay Nearly Naked Loose Powder in your shade ($11), brush on a shimmery champagne eyeshadow like Maybelline Champagne Fizz ($4), dark brown eyeliner like Maybelline Eye Studio Master Drama Eyeliner in Bold Brown ($8) on upper lids and two coats of black mascara like Lancôme Definicils in Black ($26). Finish your look with a lip balm that doubles as a lip color like Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie ($7.50) if you like more lipcolor.

■ Keep hair neat and professional with a light spray of dry shampoo at the root between shampoos, like Pssssst Instant Dry Shampoo Spray ($6) and a silicone hair band tied into a low ponytail for long hair or a thin head band for shorter hair. Keeping hair neatly off the face gives a fresh, professional look and frees you from upkeep to remain focused on your work.

■ Keep your work wardrobe simple by choosing different colored tops and interesting accessories to pair with sharp, well-fitting suits. Wear pieces together or separately to maximize combinations through the week. Try wearing slacks from your pant suit with a shell and a contrasting cardigan instead of the matching jacket. Change up your jacket by draping a color-coordinating scarf around the collar and keeping it unbuttoned.

Cynthia has been a makeup artist for more than 25 years. She provides consulting and makeup application services through Visage Designs by Cynthia. Contact her at visagedesigns@gmail.com or at 770-331-9957.

Debbie Keel, right, celebrating the baptism of her newest grandson, Jack Martin Mackey, with, from left, her husband, Patrick, her son-in-law Marty Mackey and her daughter, Corrie Mackey.

By DEBBIE KEEL
CEO of North Fulton Hospital

May has been officially designated as Older Americans Month, very likely by someone who is not an older American. (Actually, it was the federal government’s Administration on Aging.)

When I was told this by a much younger American the other day, I was quick to think that I would write a column about it, paying homage to my 89-year-old mother, among other older Americans that I know and love.

But just now, as I sat down to write this, my husband reminded me that we are older Americans, too.
Nah, no way, I told him. He just smiled in that all-knowing way husbands do when you know they are right, but they know they’d better not argue the point.

So, what is an older American and how do the people who declared May Older Americans Month define them? I went to the website – it really didn’t say. But it did talk about the theme of Older Americans Month this year: “Never too old to play!”

Okay, if I am an older American, I like the theme. But they need to change it just a bit to read, “Never too old to play … or keep working” since that defines me more accurately.

All kidding aside, I do honor older Americans. For my purposes, that’s anyone who has raised children and gotten them on their way (even if they’re back). If they have grandchildren, that makes them special, though not necessarily older.

I see “young” older Americans all the time. I see them in physicians and nurses and the volunteers that work in our hospital. One of my favorites is Ms. Betty – the wonderful environmental services lady who keeps hospital administration neat and clean every day. She will likely keep working for many more years, as will many other older Americans. Some do it because they must; many do it because if they want to feel “never too old to play,” this is the best way they know to stay active and aware of what is going on in the world.

My hat is off to them (and me, I guess) for being older Americans. We should celebrate their lives and legacies every day, not just for a month.

Debbie Keel is the CEO of North Fulton Hospital.

Leslie Dunn with her nearly 1-year-old son, Luke. Photo by Kim Craig Ali Photography.

By LESLIE DUNN
www.snarkmom.com

I was never one of those girls who wanted to be a mom when I grew up. I didn’t play with dolls. They creeped me out. I thought babies were cute, but boring. So I couldn’t imagine actually wanting to stay at home with one all day.

Fast-forward a couple decades and here I am, a stay-at-home mom to the cutest little guy in the world. I absolutely love it and feel like I am truly doing what I was always meant to do with my life – I just never knew it until now. I’d be lying, however, if I said there was never a dull moment. There are plenty of them when your constant companion has not yet mastered the English language and would rather move magnets around on the refrigerator than read and discuss “The Hunger Games.”

That’s why I’m thankful to be a mom in this Internet age. In my former life, I was a public relations professional who did a lot of writing and editing. Now, thanks to modern technology, I can write and edit from the comfort of my home, whether it’s for fun or for a freelance job.

I can also keep up with critical current events in between diaper changes and renditions of “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.” I don’t know if you heard, but Kim Kardashian got divorced. And Snooki is pregnant. And a British singer named Adele is really hot right now. See, I’m still with it even though I spend most of my time in yoga pants.

Twitter is also great when you want to glance at what’s going on in the world during a hectic day. I always enjoy getting tidbits of information and wisdom from the personal friends, publications, musicians, politicians and drag queens I follow.

Even though your world might revolve around nap schedules, meal times and a teething tot, you can stay plugged in to the rest of society through the modern-day marvels of computers, smartphones and social media with minimal effort. Staying at home with children is no longer the isolation chamber it may have seemed in the past.

That being said, I’d caution you to avoid lurking the Internet’s mommy message boards. While they can be helpful, I’ve also found they contain many horror stories about children seeing ghosts…not comforting when you have to feed a little one at night in a dark, silent house. Or maybe that’s just my experience.

How do you like to stay connected while staying at home with your children?

Leslie lives in Roswell with her husband and nearly 1-year-old son. She blogs at www.snarkmom.com and tweets at twitter.com/leslieie.

Kristen Grzywacz, Colleen Gilchrist and Kelly Gilchrist, from left, enjoy a night at Scully’s Bar in Asheville, N.C., during a recent girls’ weekend.

Debbie Johnson of Milton, center front, enjoys Savannah during a recent girls’ weekend with several of her best friends.

What better way to usher in the summer than a quick weekend away with the girls? After nine months of carpool, homework and chauffeuring kids from point A to point B, it’s your time to kick back and relax. Here are a few reader-submitted ideas of close-by locations that offer up a perfect weekend away with the girls.

The lure of Asheville, N.C., continues to call me back

By KRISTEN GRZYWACZ
Cumming, Ga.

It was my best friends’ 30th birthday and we wanted to celebrate “the twins’” big day in style. But where to go? Vegas? Too far. South Beach? Too expensive. A return to Asheville, N.C., where I got married in 2010? Perfect.

Asheville is an easy three-and-a-half hour road trip along a beautiful scenic route, and I spent many summers near there as a child at my grandparents’ home. But, today, Asheville is all grown up. Aside from the world-famous Biltmore House and the Grove Park Inn, there are now 10 microbreweries (no wonder it’s been named Beer City USA for the third year in a row). It has everything for the perfect girls’ getaway – scenery, restaurants, nightlife and shopping.

The four of us (twins Colleen and Kelly Gilchrist and Lindsey Sutphin) left Atlanta for Asheville on a recent Friday afternoon, and checked into the Grand Bohemian. It’s a beautiful, historic hotel in downtown with a lobby that makes you feel like you’re in a fairy tale.

We begin the weekend with dinner at Limones, a Mexi-Cali restaurant with imaginative bar selections. After dinner, we head to Hannah Flanagan’s Irish Pub for a quick drink before heading to popular LAB (Lexington Avenue Brewery) — one of my favorite microbrews in Asheville and always packed with people. We finish our evening with a nightcap at Scully’s, a low-key bar perfect for winding down the day with friends.

Saturday starts with brunch at the Corner Kitchen, a quick trip to the Grove Park Inn (a must-see resort in Asheville) to try and get an appointment at their spa (no luck!), then a drive by the historic Biltmore castle across the street from our hotel. We don’t visit Biltmore this weekend, but I highly recommend it for a day trip.

We spend Saturday browsing (and buying) at the local shops downtown, dinner at Red Stag and end the evening at Sazerac’s, a bar named after the first cocktail ever created. Our wonderful weekend ends with Sunday morning mimosas on the patio at Posana’s Café, before heading home to Atlanta. Another perfect weekend in Asheville.

The recipe for a perfect girls’ weekend – a trip to Savannah

By DEBBIE JOHNSON
Milton, Ga.

I love me a good girls’ trip! I’m part of a group of about 15 women who’ve been getting away a few times a year for the last 15 years to celebrate birthdays, special events or just the chance to get together (without husbands and children).

A recent birthday getaway took a group of eight of us to historic Savannah for the weekend. Our group arrived at the historic Liberty House (reserved by the birthday girl’s husband), and we were greeted with goody bags containing hand-painted wine glasses made especially by the birthday girl’s mom! In Savannah, we enjoyed fresh pralines from Savannah Sweets, a horse-drawn carriage/ghost tour, a little bar hopping, shopping on River Street, a delightful meal at Alligator Soul and club dancing at the Bohemian roof top bar that left a trail of pink boa feathers throughout Savannah!

There’s never a lack of something to do in Savannah. We enjoyed Bloody Mary cocktails and a ghost scare at a local day spa — complete with a ghost appearance in one of our photos! The trip ended with a family low country boil at the home of the birthday girl’s parents.

Plans are already in the works for a special 50th birthday trip to Montreal later this year. Our getaway group of 15 never has trouble getting our weekend dates nailed down — we even book family vacations around our girls’ weekends. This group started as a playgroup when our kids were little, and has turned into more of a support group for what life throws at us. Our weekends give us a chance to catch up.

Since I am a seasoned girls’ trip traveler, I claim expertise in this important part of women’s studies. Girlfriends are so important and a good girls’ weekend will surely leave you grateful for those friends. I have even come up with several important roles that will assure a successful girls’ trip. (Find the detailed list on my blog at www.hippiechickschronicles.com.)

1. Classic Mint Julep →

• 1 scant ounce minted simple syrup (see recipe below)
• 2 cups crushed ice
• 2 ounces bourbon (such as Woodford Reserve)
• Fresh mint sprig, for garnish

In highball glass or silver Julep cup, add minted simple syrup, then 1 cup crushed ice, bourbon and splash of water. Add enough of remaining ice to almost fill glass. Stir well and garnish with mint sprig.

Minted Simple Syrup

• 1 1/2 cups packed fresh mint leaves
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water

Chop mint. In a saucepan bring sugar, water and mint to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Simmer syrup, undisturbed, two minutes. Pour syrup through a fine sieve, pressing hard on solids, and cool. Syrup keeps, covered and chilled, two weeks.
—Courtesy of epicurious.com

…

2. Voli Vodka Popsicles →

What better way to enjoy a cool treat than with a splash of vodka. And with less than 100 calories, it’s a guilt-free indulgence. Each recipe makes two popsicles.

Slim Berry Pop

• 1 1/2 ounces Voli Lyte (or other vodka)
• 1 cup of mixed berries
• (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)
• 2 1/2 ounces Master of Mixers Sweet and Sour Lite
• 1 ounce water

Combine blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries in a shaker. Add Voli vodka, Sweet and Sour mix and water. Shake well. Pour into popsicle containers and freeze till firm.

Strawberry Vodka Pop

• 1 1/2 ounces Voli Lyte vodka
• 3 ounces Master of Mixers Sweet and Sour Lite
• 3 ounces Master of Mixers Strawberry Mixer
• 1 ounce water

In a shaker, add all ingredients. Shake well and pour into popsicle containers. Freeze until firm.

…

3. Skip & Go Naked →

Reader Debbie Johnson submitted this recipe for the ultimate party drink of the summer.

• 12 ounces Sprite, ginger ale or club soda
• 6 ounces frozen concentrate limeade or lemonade
• 6 ounces vodka or whiskey (use the cheap stuff for this!)
  

Mix ingredients in a pitcher and add ice. Serve and enjoy (preferably on a float somewhere on the water!)

 …

4. Flirtini →

Reader Shannon Wright of Alpharetta says this drink is perfect in hot weather…and even better when you make it using half juice and half vodka.

• 2/3 cup pineapple juice
• 1/3 cup vodka
• Splash champagne

Mix ingredients and pour over crushed ice!

…

5. Dark & Stormy →

A favorite of production manager Kelly Brooks, this drink is simply a mixture of dark rum and ginger beer. Use your favorite mixes or try Kelly’s favorites – Gosling’s Bermuda Black Rum and Gosling’s Ginger Beer.

• 60 ml dark rum
• 120 ml ginger beer
• Lime slice

Pour rum into a highball glass over ice. Pour the ginger beer over the rum. Squeeze in the lime wedge and drop into the drink.

Helen Ramaglia, third from left, is surrounded by her family including, from left, son Adrian, husband John, son Jimmy, daughter Tanya, daughter-in-law Tori Hilton and son Chris Hilton.

John and Helen Ramaglia.

Helen and John Ramaglia’s sons, Adrian and Jimmy.

By CANDY WAYLOCK
candy@northsidewoman.com

To walk in Helen Ramaglia’s shoes is to have been on a journey of unbelievable despair and heartache, only to emerge into sunshine.

Surrendered into the foster care system as a young child after the death of her mother, Ramaglia’s early memories are a swirl of temporary homes, punctuated by brief returns to her father, but ultimately separated and returned to foster care time and again.

Ramaglia recalls one incident in which Department of Family Services showed up at her home.

“Suddenly, you are ripped out of the life you know. Strangers from DFCS storm into your house and give you three minutes to grab what you can,” she said. “You leave behind your favorite doll, your favorite dress, the special shoes Grandma got you, your trophy from the spelling bee. All you own now is two pairs of pants, a few shirts you grabbed from the laundry basket and two-and-a-half pairs of shoes because you couldn’t find the mate quick enough.”

Though there are good memories of her foster years, many dark memories carry through to her adult years. Today, however, instead of suppressing those memories, she is embracing them in a positive way.

Two years ago, Ramaglia founded Fostering Superstars, which seeks to erase the stigma of foster care and to provide foster children with the resources they need to be successful.

“Fostering Superstars seeks other organizations to partner with who work with foster children so together, we can serve all of the needs children in foster care have that currently go unmet,” said Ramaglia, now the parent of two biological children and two foster children.

She works with other organizations that support foster children so that resources are not being duplicated or potentially wasted. Fostering Superstars is 100 percent volunteer run, with all proceeds going to the children.

“I prefer to work with organizations that do the same. It’s time we focus on the ‘child’ not the ‘system.’ While others are trying to fix the system, the child is often being left out, unattended and forgotten,” said Ramaglia, who resides in Alpharetta.

She understands the world of foster care from the eyes of a 6-year-old. Regardless of the good intentions of the foster care network of workers and families, it is a scary place.

“Alone, without your siblings, you find yourself in a strange town holding a small black garbage bag containing a few of your clothes and possessions,” she recalled. “It is all you have. In the blink of an eye you no longer have family, you no longer have friends or your school, your dog is now gone from your life and most of your prized possessions are gone, just like that. In the blink of an eye, everything you knew as life is now gone…your life no longer exists.”

The list of services she has been able to provide through Fostering Superstars since its founding in 2010 is lengthy, and includes sending foster children to summer camps, providing new clothing to the Foster Care Support Foundation and makeup from Mary Kay for Prom Palooza, and creating a mentoring program designed just for foster children.

All this within the space of less than two years, says Ramaglia, and she looks to a future with even more to offer. She continually seeks new mentors to partner with foster children and is now working on a book she hopes will inspire others to understand the foster program and to fill in the gaps of support for children within the system.

“[Fostering Superstars is] not big enough yet to fill all of the unmet needs of children in foster care,” said Ramaglia. “I have not been able to partner every foster child with a life partner. My heart hurts…because I can’t do enough.”

Ramaglia was born in Columbia, S.C., but never stayed in one place for long as she bounced from her father’s often unstable home, homes of relatives, foster settings and other temporary locations. At 17, she had “aged” out of foster care and discovered few resources were available to her, aside from a $500 check and a wish of good luck in the future.

So she opted to get married at 17 – a short-lived union that produced her daughter, Tanya, now 30, and which brought her to Atlanta where her husband had a job. A few years later, Ramaglia was married a second time – an equally short marriage in which her son, Christopher, now 25, was born.

She was in her early 20s, a single mother of two with two failed marriages and a closet full of unhappiness weighing heavily upon her.

“I decided then and there that something had to change,” said Ramaglia. “I wasn’t happy with the way my life was turning out and for the sake of my daughter and son I had to find a way to change the path of our tomorrows. So Momma bear held tightly to her cubs and plotted a path to forge a better tomorrow.”

For the next 17 years, Ramaglia worked on finding her way in the world, and realized she had never learned to set goals or plot a course for a future. Growing up, her energy was spent on getting through each day with no sense of what lies ahead of that.

“The first thing I had to do was to push myself out of my comfort zone and set a goal in my life. I’m sure fear played a part,” she recalled. “Children in foster care don’t often set goals; it’s all they can do to merely survive one more day. And then comes the fear of failing, the foster child is afraid that this one more hurt just might be the hurt that will finally see them fizzle out.”

After nearly two decades on her own, Ramaglia said she was finally able to make a commitment to another person again. She met and married John Ramaglia in 2006, and moved to Alpharetta.

Her new husband fully supported her need to make a difference, and two years later they fostered 2-year-old brothers, Adrian and Jimmy. The brothers are separated by only eight months because of premature births related to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Prior to coming into the Ramaglia’s home, the boys had been in six other placements, and Helen Ramaglia suspects there may have been abuse or neglect in some of those homes.

“How sad, babies facing the ‘unknown’ seven times in two short years,” said Ramaglia. “There were many obstacles to overcome when they entered our home, but these two amazing little boys have turned into adorable, loving little boys. They have truly blessed our lives.”

She and John formally adopted Adrian and Jimmy two years ago, and they now complete the Ramaglia family, which includes Tanya, who recently moved to Alpharetta and is working on a master’s degree in occupational therapy, and Christopher who received his bachelor’s degree at North Georgia College and State University and is currently the lead technician in the Geek Squad at Best Buy in Canton.

As Ramaglia looks back on her life of exceedingly low lows, coupled with incredible highlights, she is at a loss to pinpoint exactly what sustained her in the darkest of times.

“To be honest, I don’t think I am really sure about that one,” said Ramaglia, who says her faith in God was always present. “When I look back, I am amazed I was able to overcome [the challenges]. But I know I didn’t want my children to grow up with the life I grew up with. I was determined to create a better life for them, and a better life for myself.”

She said she lived with the assessment from others who never expected much from her, and failure would have been the easy path.

“I had a choice of whether or not to let my past define me,” said Ramaglia. “I think I wanted to show [others] that foster children can rise from their [circumstances]. That it was truly possible to turn foster into fabulous.”

Fostering Superstars

For more information on the organization and Helen Ramaglia’s life in foster care and after, visit her website at www.fosteringsuperstars.org.