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SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL S2 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2013 AGING GRACEFULLY When grandma is also mama By JUSTINE DACOSTA features@santacruzsentinel.com CAPITOLA — Charlotte Hannum's days are filled with soccer games, swim practice and homework. It's a typical schedule for the mother of an active 9-year- old boy, and that's just what Hannum hoped for. "I want him to have a normal life," she said of Seven, her grandson. Hannum, 71, and her husband of 50 years, welcomed Seven into their Capitola home in 2005, the year after their son Douglas, Seven's father, died of a drug overdose at the age of 38. Seven was born while his mother was incarcerated, and she continued to struggle with drugs after his birth. He ended up in foster care when he was about 1½. Six months later, his foster mother needed surgery and the Hannums were able to bring the 2-year-old to their home while she recovered. The placement became permanent, and by January 2007 the Hannums were Seven's adoptive parents. Hannum admits the situation was initially difficult. "I was still in the grieving process," she said. "At times, I thought, 'I can't do this.' " She and her husband were suddenly changing diapers and maintaining a schedule for an infant who had been exposed to drugs and alcohol in the womb, a different world from the retirement they'd been enjoying. "That came to a screeching halt," she said. "Your whole life changes." Seven is now a happy, healthy child whose resemblance to his father is uncanny. "He looks so much like my son, and even his actions," she said. She said it can be emotional seeing these characteristics emerge. "He fills a big void; I couldn't imagine life without him," she said. "God took Douglas, but then he gave us Seven." Hannum said the adoption process went smoothly thanks to help from people at the county adoption agency. Seven's mother wanted her son to be with the Hannums, which also helped the process. His mother, who went on to have another child, died last year. Hannum said having to break the news broke her Many grandparents find themselves providing full-time care for grandkids AT A GLANCE R E S O U R C E S CALIFORNIA KINSHIP NAVIGATOR PROGRAM: 1-800-546(KIN)-0047 ROOTS AND WINGS: 454- 4286, www.adoptuskids. org/about-us/diligent- recruitment-grantees/roots- and-wings CABRILLO FOSTER & KINSHIP CARE EDUCATION PROGRAM: 479-6111, www.cabrillo. edu/associations/ fostercare COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES INFORMATION ON FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION: www. fostercare4kids.com THE ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS: 213- 368-6010, www.kids-alliance.org Charlotte Han- num is thrilled to provide a loving home for her grandson Seven. Hannum, 71, and her husband of 50 years welcomed Seven into their Capitola home in 2005, the year after their son Douglas, Seven's father, died at the age of 38. SHMUEL THALER/ SENTINEL heart. "Having to tell Seven was one of the hardest things," she said. "The tears just started running down his face." While the adoption process was easy for Hannum, she knows this is not always the case. Hannum is a mentor through the Cabrillo Foster & Kinship Care Education Program, and said she's heard horror stories of families struggling with custody issues or stressed relationships between the grandparents and their biological children. There are two kinds of kinship care: formal and informal, said Deborah Helms, director of the Cabrillo Foster & Kinship Care Education Program. SEE PARENTS ON S4