By Luke Mawhirter
Steve and Christy Ramos never anticipated they would be raising small children at this point in their lives – let alone their three grandchildren. By now, they expected to be settling into retirement, enjoying slow mornings and quiet evenings, and embracing a well-earned new chapter. Instead, their days are still filled with school drop-offs, therapy appointments and bedtime routines.
The couple, both lifelong residents of Odessa, Texas, have been married for 30 years. They attended the same high school but didn’t connect until later in life.
“We just kept missing each other,” Christy recalled with a smile. “It took us about five tries before we actually went on a date.”
“The rest is history,” Steve added.
After 30 years of marriage, four children and 12 grandchildren together, the couple decided it was time to leave Odessa and start the next phase of their lives in a new city.
At the time, Steve and Christy were housing not only their 14-year-old son Jacob, but also their 27-year-old son Brian and his three children—Xavier, Olivia, and Ezekiel.
Steve and Christy had been the managing conservators of Xavier and Olivia for the previous eight years. Their mother is currently serving time in prison for drug abuse. Ezekiel’s mother also has a history of substance abuse and is no longer part of his life.
“We’ve raised Xavier and Olivia since they were little,” Christy shared. “But we got to the point where we trusted our son to be a big boy and take care of these three kids by himself.”
“We were ready to be done with babysitting,” Steve added with a laugh.
With retirement on the horizon and hope Brian would fill the role of primary caretaker, the couple began the steps necessary to leave Odessa. “It was all planned out for years,” Christy said. “Steve was retiring from the Ector County Sheriff’s office, and we got us a cute little house in Copperas Cove. We were going to make a new life.”
While this move had been in the works for a while, the Ramoses’ desire for a fresh start was also motivated by two close calls with their health. In 2022, Christy underwent surgery to remove cancerous tissue. But this didn’t mark the first time the family experienced health challenges. During the Christmas season in 2021, Steve was battling COVID-19 and was placed on life support.
“It almost killed him,” Christy shared. “He was on the ventilator, and all of his organs were shutting down. I visited him on Christmas Eve and he started coding right there.”
Christy recalled having to go home and inform her children and grandchildren Steve might not make it through the night.
“All we did was pray for four days,” she said.
Ultimately the family’s prayers were answered; Steve was taken off the ventilator and began his recovery journey. Part of that recovery included retiring from his position as a sergeant over the Ector County Sheriff’s office.
“Let’s just GO,” Christy recalled saying at the time.
And so the Ramoses set off to Copperas Cove with their son Jacob, ready to turn the page and start a new chapter—only to discover that while they had left Odessa behind, the hopes they held for Brian and the family there did not come to fruition.
Steve and Christy learned that their son Brian had become addicted to drugs and was not taking responsibility for his children. To make matters worse, Xavier, Olivia and Ezekiel had been exposed to Methamphetamines in unsafe environments connected to his lifestyle. The couple quickly pivoted and brought the three children into their new home in Copperas Cove. When asked how they handled such a turbulent transition, the Ramoses have a simple answer.
“We trust the Lord first, and always,” Christy said. “We cannot do any of this without Him.”
“God has gotten us through all of this,” Steve added. “We thought we had everything lined up, but He had other plans. God has his reasons.”
While the Ramoses’ faith helped them navigate this extremely challenging period, they also found refuge through MCH Family Outreach in Killeen—just a short drive from their new home in Copperas Cove.
“MCH was right there,” shared Christy. “I found them through a church function. They made a game plan for us and were very helpful while we dealt with all of the fallout.”
Through MCH, Steve and Christy found a community of people who were more than willing to help. They were also able to meet and talk with other grandparents who found themselves in similar situations. But things did not get miraculously better overnight.
After paying two mortgages and welcoming the three children into their home, Steve and Christy’s life savings was quickly drained. This ultimately led them to make the difficult decision to sell their new home in Copperas Cove and move back to Odessa, where they still owned a home.
MCH continued to support the Ramoses by connecting them with MCH Family Outreach Permian Basin. Director Stephanie Janes and case manager Celeste Reyes were quick to respond.
“It was a seamless transition,” Janes said. “We collaborated with the MCH Family Outreach office in Killeen, and then took the baton.”
Throughout their time working together, Mr. and Mrs. Ramos developed a close bond with the Permian Basin staff.
“Stephanie and Celeste are lifesavers,” said Christy. “It felt like we were in a million pieces, but they helped put us back together.”
Support for the Ramos family included everything from in-home parent education classes taught by Reyes to reassuring phone calls when Christy felt overwhelmed.
“They were there for us when we were in crisis mode,” Steve said. “MCH means the world to us.”
Christy said she was particularly impressed with how Janes and Reyes consistently went above and beyond to help with whatever the family needed. The Ramoses were one of the first client families in the MCH Family Outreach Permian Basin office after it opened its doors in 2023. Janes couldn’t be prouder of all they’ve accomplished.
“Whenever we would provide resources, guidance or help, they would immediately apply it and really use the techniques,” Janes said.
Some of the techniques that have worked out best for the Ramoses include family game nights and reading together. They’ve also implemented a whiteboard posted in their kitchen, where a new theme or activity is regularly written.
“This week’s theme is thankfulness,” Christy said, pointing to the board. “We’re all going to find something we’re thankful for and talk about it together.”
The Permian Basin team is quick to brag on Steve and Christy Ramos.
“Steve and Christy are always hungry for knowledge,” Reyes said. “They know there is always something to learn. They also recognize that kids in this generation are different from the ones they raised. They’re always open to everything we suggest.”
“Steve and Christy are both incredibly strong, and are always advocating for their family.” Janes added. “Life has thrown curve ball after curve ball at them, but they take – or dodge – those very well.”
“We just take life one day at a time,” Christy said. “We’ve learned that’s the only way to do it.”
One of the biggest challenges Janes and Reyes have helped the Ramoses navigate is 5-year old Ezekiel’s autism diagnosis.
“When we first got Ezekiel, we didn’t sleep for what felt like more than a month,” Steve said. “He would stay up, running around and crying.”
“Crying like someone was hurting him,” Christy added. “His emotions were always so low, or so high. We just couldn’t figure him out. It felt like we were drowning.”
A major breakthrough came when the team at MCH Family Outreach was able to help Steve and Christy get a formal diagnosis for their grandson.
“We knew that once Ezekiel had an official diagnosis, Steve and Christy would be able to access more resources,” Reyes said.
Receiving the diagnosis meant a two-hour drive to Lubbock, but Janes said Christy never hesitated to go the extra mile.
“Christy is very proactive,” Janes shared. “She will do whatever needs to be done for her family.”
“You empowered us,” Christy added.
The team helped the Ramoses find the right kind of special education that fit Ezekiel’s specific needs, including behavioral and occupational speech therapy. They also assisted in enrolling him in the Head Start program, which provides free learning and development services to children, including those with disabilities.
“There’s been such a big change from when we started,” Steve said. “Now Zeke is a happy guy. He’s always laughing, or singing – even in his sleep.”
Ezekiel shares a particularly special bond with Steve, who credits Reyes’ parent education classes for making him a better caregiver.
“Now, I know what Ezekiel wants or needs,” Steve said. “I can tell just by his humming, or the way he talks.”
“That’s his person right there,” Christy added, gesturing to Steve with a smile.
“He’s my world,” Steve said. “All of them are my world.”
Even though they never expected life to take this turn, Steve and Christy can now see it as part of a greater plan.
“God intended for us to have these kids,” Christy said. “We love and protect them with everything we’ve got.”
Steve and Christy closed out services with the Permian Basin office in June 2024, but have maintained a close relationship with its staff.
“They come to see us, sometimes just to say ‘hi’,” Christy said. “And we’ll call them any time we have good news about the kids. Even though we’re not clients anymore, Stephanie and Celeste are always there to help us when we need it.”
In addition to keeping up the personal connection they formed, Janes and Reyes also admire how the Ramoses continue to apply what they’ve learned and seek out new resources.
Reyes recalled sharing a resource with the family – a free summer camp in the community. Not only did Xavier and Olivia attend all summer, but Steve also signed up as a coach.
“They’re always open-minded to try out the resources we suggest,” Reyes said. “We love their positivity and their willingness to learn with us.”
Christy shared that MCH helped her family during the 2024 Christmas season when money was a little tight, and said it was a huge relief.
“There’s never been any judgment,” said Christy. “MCH doesn’t feel like a typical ‘agency.’ It’s amazing.”
When asked what advice they would give to others in similar situations, the Ramoses were quick to offer encouragement.
“These services work,” Steve said. “Reach out and call. Tell them everything; don’t hold back. Ask and you shall receive.”
Steve and Christy said they’ve even helped a neighbor across the street enroll in MCH Family Outreach services.
“Steve and Christy are great examples of leaders and mentors,” Janes said. “Not just for the kids, but for other people like them as well. I truly believe they show Christ’s love in all they do.”
The Ramoses’ ultimate goal is the reunification of their family – especially for their son and his children. They also hope to see Xavier, Olivia and Ezekiel’s mothers out of jail and in recovery.
“We pray for them all the time,” Christy shared. “That’s all we can do. Pray, and just hope everyone gets better.”
As for the immediate future, Steve and Christy have their sights set on much closer goals.
Steve plans to start a new job at the Midland County Sheriff’s office within the next few months, and Christy has aspirations of going back to school to become a behavioral therapist. Janes added that MCH would be there for her if and when she chooses to do so.
Steve and Christy also said they would like to make another attempt at retirement one day.
“That’s the hope,” Christy said. “But like I said before, right now we’re just taking it one day at a time.”
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