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Child-rearing is but a distant memory to most married couples well into their retirement years. But Nathaniel Odom, 83, and his wife, Zady, 73, are busy attending Boy Scout meetings, participating in parent-teacher conferences, and leading vacation Bible school.

Seven years ago, Nathaniel, a retired Chicago-area builder, and Zady, who worked as a school-bus driver for 20 years, adopted three siblings: Sable, 5; Ronald, 2; and Theo, two months. By that time, they had already raised six sons, then between ages 26 and 36, all of whom had married and had children of their own. Three years later, the Odoms adopted two-year-old Diamond.

The Qdoms' interest in adoption began after they had been unable to have children their first eight years of marriage. The couple adopted a four-month-old boy from Chicago Foundlings Home in 1955. They then had four biological sons, followed by another adopted son.

"After they were grown up, the nest was pretty empty," says Zady Odom, who, like her husband, had seven siblings.

By the time Sable, Ronald, and Theo joined the Odoms in their Glen Ellyn, Illinois, home, the couple had raised ten foster children in addition to their six sons. They did not intend to adopt the trio of siblings, but after nearly three years of providing foster care, they decided to make it permanent when no other families came forward. "It's so sad to see children begging to be adopted," says Odom. "It's something about us, when we get a child, we just can't let go."

Odom says she and her husband are simply trying to live out their faith by caring for children who have no other caregivers. "It's our way of paying back some of the blessings God has given us," she says.

"Some people think because you are old, you don't have anything to offer a child," says Odom. Federal law does not limit older adults from becoming foster or adoptive parents, but states are allowed to set their own standards regarding age. State agencies agreed to the Odoms' latest round of adoptions with no qualms, but their grown children expressed reservations because of their parents' ages. Now, says Odom, her older children believe adoptive parenting is helping her stay young.

Keeping up with four young children and 15 grandchildren who all live in the Chicago metropolitan area is a challenge. But Odom adds they would adopt more children if they had a larger house. "I cannot say no when I've asked the Lord to be able to help," she says.

Odom wishes more Christians, especially retirees, would consider foster and adoptive care. She sees age as an advantage because senior adults are home during the day and can spend more time dealing with children's needs.

"There are so many children out there who need the love of anyone," she says. "You could be old, young, single. We need to see children as a blessing, not a burden."

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August 10 1998, Vol. 42, No. 9