An East Texas teenager in foster care has been waiting years for a forever family.

Sam has had lots of ups and downs in his young life, but

is hoping with consistency and

stability he can be a normal teenager with a chance at a successful future.

“I like sports. I’m more of an active person. I like to go outside and play soccer and just enjoy the breeze outside and have fun,” Sam said.

Sam has spent the past three years in Foster Care.

“I take care of myself. I learned everything on my own and basically I taught myself everything.”

This 15-year-old is resilient despite many disappointments.

“I’m trying to do weightlifting like my dad. He died when I was 7,” Sam said.

His mother wasn’t around at all and his brother died serving our country in Afghanistan. Sam wants to honor his brother by also serving one day.

“I want to do ROTC and after that, I want to go to the Marines.”

With no parents, Sam’s grandmother initially stepped up to take care of Sam.

“My grandma said she couldn’t put up with me no more. That’s because she was sick,” Sam explained.

He ended up in CPS, which he said has actually turned out to be a positive for him.

“Ever since I got in CPS, I’ve been acting right, more mature than I used to.”

And he’s hoping that change in behavior will lead to a forever family.

“To me, a family that loves me, that cares about me, that will spend time with me,” he said with a hopeful tone.

They are all simple things that every child wants, needs and deserves.

“Adoption would literally change my life. I’d be happy. I’d be crying, because I would be so happy!”

 

To learn more about Sam, join Gillian Sheridan for her Children are a Gift report, next Tuesday night on CBS 19 News at 6. To inquire about an East Texas child waiting to be adopted, call 903-533-4242 or email gsheridan@cbs19.tv.