I came across a story that stopped me in my tracks. It’s about a man named Gerald Platz and his wife, Leanna, from Austin, Texas. Over the course of 25 years, they fostered more than 150 babies—in fact 173 newborns, over the course of 36 years—giving each one a loving start before they were placed in their forever homes.
Imagine that. Middle-of-the-night feedings, endless diaper changes, the emotional rollercoaster of bonding with a child only to say goodbye. And yet, they kept saying yes to the next baby, and the next, and the next. When asked why they did it, Gerald simply said, “My wife really liked holding babies.” No deep theological explanation, no need for recognition—just a simple, beautiful response that speaks volumes.
I think we often complicate what it means to live a meaningful life. We chase big accomplishments, platforms, and impact that can be measured. But Gerald and Leanna remind me that sometimes, purpose looks a lot quieter. It looks like faithfulness in the unseen moments, love poured out in ways that don’t make headlines.
So here’s the challenge: What does it look like for you to live intentionally? It might not be fostering (though maybe it is!), but what’s the thing you can do that brings light into someone’s life? It could be mentoring a kid, checking in on an elderly neighbor, or just being the person who always shows up.
The Platzes didn’t set out to change the world. But for over 150 babies, they did. And maybe, just maybe, that’s what real legacy looks like.
peace,
Nick
More of the story can be found here: https://www.kut.org/austin/2019-06-20/who-is-the-man-in-southwest-austin-who-fostered-over-100-babies-with-his-wife
Imagine that. Middle-of-the-night feedings, endless diaper changes, the emotional rollercoaster of bonding with a child only to say goodbye. And yet, they kept saying yes to the next baby, and the next, and the next. When asked why they did it, Gerald simply said, “My wife really liked holding babies.” No deep theological explanation, no need for recognition—just a simple, beautiful response that speaks volumes.
I think we often complicate what it means to live a meaningful life. We chase big accomplishments, platforms, and impact that can be measured. But Gerald and Leanna remind me that sometimes, purpose looks a lot quieter. It looks like faithfulness in the unseen moments, love poured out in ways that don’t make headlines.
So here’s the challenge: What does it look like for you to live intentionally? It might not be fostering (though maybe it is!), but what’s the thing you can do that brings light into someone’s life? It could be mentoring a kid, checking in on an elderly neighbor, or just being the person who always shows up.
The Platzes didn’t set out to change the world. But for over 150 babies, they did. And maybe, just maybe, that’s what real legacy looks like.
peace,
Nick
More of the story can be found here: https://www.kut.org/austin/2019-06-20/who-is-the-man-in-southwest-austin-who-fostered-over-100-babies-with-his-wife