Lungreens' 50 years equals 105 children

After half-a-century of marriage, their home continues to be filled with the pitter-patter of little feet because they have been foster parents to 103, including an infant currently in their care. So while others enjoy their senior years in empty nests, the Lungreens' retirement is filled with conversations about diapers and formula.

"It's kind of embarrassing sometimes," Mrs. Lungreen said. "People assume that they're your grandchildren. [One hundred and three children] sounds like a lot. Usually, we had one at a time. Some were sets of twins. Some were respite for the day or weekend, and some stayed a couple of years."

Enriched lives

Mrs. Lungreen, who has always enjoyed children, eventually found foster parenting. As a member of the Christ Child Society at St. Madeleine Sophie Church in Guilderland, she volunteered to babysit at Catholic Charities' Branson House in Albany.

"We babysat while the girls went to school," she said. "Then Catholic Charities said they were looking for foster parents. I said we were too old. That was back in '83."

After being assured that age wasn't a problem, they were certified as foster parents and have been taking care of children ever since. Mr. Lungreen is now 80; his wife is 75.

Life with kids

Waking up in the middle of the night with a crying infant is not as big a problem as it once was, Mrs. Lungreen explained, since the couple doesn't have to worry about going to work the next day. In ways like that, caring for a baby now is less difficult now compared to when they were raising their children.

"Disposable diapers make your life so much easier," said Mr. Lungreen, reflecting on a time when cloth diapers were the only choice.

Staying busy

While couples are often deterred from becoming foster parents because they don't think they can let the children go when the time comes, the Lungreens "got into the program knowing it was temporary," he said.

His wife added, "When you give one up, you know you've got another one coming." She acknowledged that there is sadness mixed with the knowledge that they made a difference to a child.

Recommended for others

While parenting can be challenging and put a strain on a marriage, the Lungreens believe by focusing on why a couple married in the first place can keep things going.

"Like everything else, you've got to stick to it," Mr. Lungreen said. "You got in it because you were in love. People don't want to ride through the rough times anymore."

According to his wife, "We've had our ups and downs, but it must be love. [At times,] I thought, 'I'd better stay married; no one else would have me.'"

Religion in family

"Faith has played a big role in our marriage and foster parenting," said Mrs. Lungreen.

Her husband agreed, saying: "Being Catholic and going to church was a family thing for us. This has helped keep us together."

Their own parents served as important role models when it came to faith. Mr. Lungreen's father was not Catholic but took his family to Mass each weekend. Once the Lungreens were married, Mrs. Lungreen always had a ride to church from her father-in-law when her husband was out of town.

Mrs. Lungreen recalled that it was not love at first sight for her. "My brother and his wife were the matchmakers," she said. "They were moving into an apartment and invited both of us to paint. Of course, I didn't know it was a set-up. He had this crazy hat on, and I remember thinking I'll never marry him."

"Never" turned into 50 years and 105 children.

(For more information about foster parenting through Community Maternity Services, call 482-8836.)

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