This story is about a streetwise kid who grew up to build a successful decades-long career. David Foy was a rambunctious, overzealous kid with more energy than he knew what to do with. But he also had a passion for life and a huge untamed heart. Maybe that’s what makes this such a fascinating story to me. It’s about a guy who eventually experienced love and redemption, which profoundly influenced the man he is today.
David still has that same passion, and a huge heart. He’s driven by integrity and strives to make a difference in the world – through his successful realty business, through his family and in his community. But David’s trajectory early in life would not have predicted his current path.
David’s early years were tough, with a fractured family and a constantly changing housing situation. His mom had a rough go of it even before he and his sister came along, and she continued to make life decisions that made things even more difficult for all of them. But all along the way, caring people helped David and his sister, Bonnie, navigate their turbulent childhood to become people living lives very different from the chaos they experienced growing up.
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David will be the first to say that his loving foster family, and the love and support of his wife, changed the course of his life. David will also tell you he is the man he is because of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that started at Camp Shamineau when he was just 12 years old. His story is about those relationships, and about all the people who believed in him and invested in his life – his sister, his foster parents, social workers, teachers, good people on the street, an amazing wife, kids, friends, coworkers and the list goes on.
Daivd and his wife Heidi of 41 years are now blessed with a big family, including several adopted children (and also many grandchildren). Their heart for adoption is in part fueled by David’s own story – a past in which he learned what it meant to be accepted by a family that loves him unconditionally. Every one of their children are loved and cherished, no matter their past or the challenges that come with it.
This isn’t meant to toot David’s horn, but I think it’s important to shine some light on the fact that some people might think this man’s incredibly hard life would be a reasonable excuse to hold things close, be protective, maybe even be a little selfish. Who would blame him, really? But having known and watched David for over 20 years, I can truly say he has a huge heart for people. He’s helped so many others in so many ways that it’s hard to describe. He lives life boldly and unapologetically, and with love and energy to spare.
So, my take-away on this story with David? In a world where humanity seems a little rough around the edges there are people like David, who’ve known joy, sorrow and everything in between who use their own experience to speak truth and love and transform others’ lives. We all have life experiences that have shaped us. If you think about it, that means each of us has the potential to be a world-changer too.