What if Frodo would have never bore the ring? What if Harry never faced Voldemort in the woods? What if Luke had never gone with Obi Wan?

Moments of greatness would never have been realized.

The act of volunteering to bear the ring, simply walking to the forest, or looking back on your home for the last time, may not strike you as "victorious" moments. Instead, they are the hard choices that would later alter not just the character's lives, but the lives of everyone in their world.

As we go about our daily non-fictional lives it’s hard to find moments that can be defined as “moments of greatness.” Weekly trips to Wal-Mart, bringing snacks to a Scouts meeting, or helping your kids with homework while folding laundry is a far cry from a Hollywood scene complete with inspirational music.

I suppose it all comes down to what you consider great.

All of the characters listed above have multiple things in common, but one trait sticks out to me most. All of them were orphans. Additionally, they were orphans who had supportive people in their lives who stepped in to be the family that they never had.

Frodo, a Hobbit from the novels Lord of the Rings, was raised by his uncle, Bilbo Baggins. Harry Potter, who after losing both of his parents, was raised by the most awful sort of humans, his aunt and uncle Dursley, but was later taken in by his Godfather Sirius and the Weasly family. And Luke Skywalker? Well, we all know how that one played out, right?

Maybe what I’m trying to say is that our life’s quest isn’t about our own personal greatness, but placing ourselves in a position to set others up for greatness. And in return as we step back and watch from a distance, that is greatness on our part.

There is an opportunity coming up that I want you to consider. The Rowan Fund, along with DHS Foster Care Recruitment, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Foster Care and Fostering Hope of Okmulgee County will be coming together in the near future to bring you a no-pressure informational event.

If you’ve ever wanted to just sit back and listen in a crowd, or submit burning questions anonymously, this is your chance. Dinner and childcare will be available. You can also speak directly with the recruiters should you decide to begin the path of becoming a foster parent.

On any given day, almost 8,000 children in the State of Oklahoma are in DHS custody. We can argue on and on about how it “isn’t our responsibility,” or how “it’s all their parent’s mess,” but that doesn’t help the fact that kids are being placed all over the state, being moved from their friends, family and school, because there aren’t enough local homes. If you were looking for your shot at greatness, I’m officially handing one to you. You don’t have to commit or go in blindly, all I ask is that you come and listen.

Keep your eyes on our Rowan Fund Facebook page, Instagram and this article for dates and times of our upcoming event. You won’t want to miss it.

Jennifer Avery is the Director of the non profit agency, “The Rowan Fund,” which seeks to support adoptive and foster families in Okmulgee County. She resides in Morris with her husband and two children. If you have questions or comments please email them to: RowanFamilyTree@gmail.co m.