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Child-rearing is 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 drove a school bus 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 the ages of 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 Odoms first explored adoption after unsuccessful attempts to have children during their first eight years of marriage. The couple adopted a four-month-old boy from the Chicago Foundlings Home in 1955. Then came four biological sons, joined by another adopted son.

	"It's something about us," Zady says. "When we get a child, we just can't let go."

"After they were grown up, the nest was pretty empty," says Zady. Neither she nor her husband were used to that; both grew up with seven siblings in Oklahoma.

When Sable, Ronald, and Theo arrived in the Odoms' home in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, the couple had already raised ten foster children in addition to their six sons. Nathaniel and Zady didn't 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 Zady. "It's something about us, when we get a child, we just can't let go."

Nathaniel says love and faith in Christ motivated him and his wife to adopt the latest group of children. He's never regretted the decision, he says without hesitation.

Zady 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. "This is one of the best things we could have ever possibly done—to give these children a home."

Setting an example
The family loves to do simple things together like picnics, as well as take bigger vacations. This past summer Zady, Ronald, and Theo enjoyed a Florida/Bahamas getaway.

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

Nathaniel says, "They (children) add more years to your life."

Keeping up with four young children and 15 grandchildren who all live in the Chicago metropolitan area is a challenge. In addition, Nathaniel serves as senior deacon at Second Baptist Church of Wheaton, and Zady is missions and children's church chair. Nevertheless, Zady adds they would adopt more children if they had a larger house. "I can't say no when I've asked the Lord to be able to help," she says.

Thanks to the Odoms' example and encouragement, some members of Second Baptist have also adopted children or provided foster care. Zady says she wishes more Christians, especially retirees, would open their homes to needy children.

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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