Two-time Grammy-nominated bluegrass musician Barry Abernathy was not planning to adopt in his 50s. The plan has changed when he met Tyler and Zoey.
The Georgia-born Barry Abernathy's life is a series of turning points - both with his career and with his family.
For someone who is born with only a thumb and an index finger on his left hand, and for someone passionate about music, Abernathy needed to strive harder than others.
Growing up, Abernathy performed his little concerts on their porch with his singing and while beating his guitar. But, he could only do so much - Barry could not play the chords because of his birth defect.
During his teenage years, he stumbled upon this record store and spotted a bluegrass album with a banjo pictured on it. Feeling generous, his mother bought it for him.
As Abernathy listened to it, he was on fire.
As he expressed his interest in playing the banjo, his mother warned him - although not in a discouraging way, just enough for him to not be disappointed later - that it would be hard.
With this, she challenged Abernathy that if he could learn a tune without messing it up, she will buy a banjo for him.
Abernathy accepted this challenge and learned about the popular three-finger style of playing the instrument. And this was the turning point of his career. Everything else is history.
On the other hand, his fatherhood journey also took its turn.
Abernathy, together with his wife, Beverly, is blessed with two daughters - Chassady, 18, and Emma, 16.
In June of last year, Chassady talked to Abernathy about the two siblings at the daycare where she works. The siblings, Tyler and Zoey, were removed from an unsafe home and were put into the foster care system. Chassady noticed that the boy, Tyler, had the same birth defect as her father.
Few days have passed, Abernathy had to drive from his home in Georgia to Nashville, Tennessee for a performance. On his way out of the town, he felt the need to drop by and see the kids that his daughter had mentioned.
Just as he entered the daycare center, he immediately spotted Tyler with a friend.
The child patted his friend, pointed at Abernathy, all while proudly announcing that that was his dad.
Abernathy said that the child believed that he was his dad because they have the same hand. He even asked Tyler if he needed to be his father and the child insisted with, "You're my dad."
Abernathy called the Lord. He said that if He wanted them to take the children, He will make way. Two days later, Abernathy and Beverly got their answer. The siblings' foster family could no longer care for them and they were to become wards of the state.
Ever since that day, Tyler and Zoey have been living with the Abernathys. Best believe that it was not a mere coincidence - it was meant to be.
The adoption of the two children has been confirmed earlier this week through a video conference.
