COURTESY Shrmarying, 13, seeks a forever family.

In this edition of CBS 19’s Children are a Gift we feature a teenager who is slow to warm up, but could be called a diamond in the rough. She’s hoping a forever family will help her shine.

Shrmarying is a beautiful young lady with a lovely personality.

“I am respectful. I say, ‘Yes ma’am’ and ‘no ma’am,’” she said.

However, it takes her a while to build enough trust to open up, and she is very reserved.

“She seems like she’s a little sad, but she’s not. She’s just shy, but once she warms up to you she’s great,” Cheryl Biggers, a Child Protective Services caseworker, said.

Shrmarying likes to keep busy and is very bright.

“I like to sing and write,” she said.

“She also likes to read,” Biggers said. “She likes painting. She likes sports and playing basketball.”

This 13-year-old is very helpful and interacts well with others, but does need redirection at times in being polite to other children.

I asked her how long she has been in foster care. She replied solemnly, “Going on four years.”

Despite a long wait, Biggers said this teenager has “adjusted well” to being in care.

This 7th-grader also thrives at school, and is a good student.

“We do projects and I enjoy school,” acknowledged Shrmarying.

Shrmarying said she would like to be the only child in a family.

“She has shared a lot and I think she just needs some ‘me’ time with her new family. She needs a family that is loving and caring. One who goes to church because she loves church. She sings at church and likes her church family,” Biggers said.

“It makes me happy,” said Shrmarying, about praise singing and dancing at church.

Shrmarying is hoping her life will soon be filled with happiness through the blessing of adoption.

“I’ll have a new family,” she said with a slight smile.

“She’s a really good girl. She’s just looking for love and a family to love her,” Biggers said.

To learn more about Shrmarying, join Gillian Sheridan for her Children are a Gift report next Tuesday night on CBS19 News at 6 and Wednesday on CBS19 This Morning. You can get information about East Texas children waiting for a forever family by calling 903-533-4242 or emailing gsheridan@cbs19.tv.