Peggy Bailey said her home resembled a funeral parlor on Friday.

But the occasion isn’t a solemn one as flowers filled her home — it is a time of celebration. Mother’s Day, and the days that surround it, means Bailey is being reunited with many of the individuals she helped raise.

She continued to receive phone calls and guests would continue to stop by.

Over the years, she and her husband Jim of Kane have fostered 56 children, helping to shape and mold young folks into responsible adults. She has seven adopted children and has had two biologically; her youngest is six years old and the oldest is 23.

“I am happy. But it makes me sad, though, they don’t want to see their own parents,” she said.

She and her husband began fostering children 21 years ago, on Oct. 24 –– and “I love every moment of it,” she said.

Bailey recalls that before she began fostering, parents used to drop children off at her home. She said she knew some of those children would be heading back to bad situations.

And when she started fostering, some of those children eventually ended up in her care.

She and her husband love to foster. “I never want to be alone,” she said. She said she loves being surrounded by children. To her, it is not chaos; rather, it is a sweet sound.

“They’re not animals. They’re humans with feelings,” she said.

She sees the children as special. “Each child is unique,” she said.

“I love seeing them enjoy food and having clean sheets,” Bailey said.

She said the children love animals; they have plenty at the home, including cats, dogs and even a small alligator.

Bailey said she gives respect to the children. She said treats the children as she would like to be treated.

The group also goes camping, fishing and swimming and enjoys cookouts, Bailey said.

Around Christmas she said the home is packed with foster children visiting.

And she is saddened when the foster children leave. “I wish that they would live with me,” she said.

In fostering children, she said she makes sure to involve the parents, which is an uncommon practice. Typically, she said, she fosters children for a couple of years.

What does it take to be a foster parent?

“Patience. Patience. That’s all. You have to be open minded,” she said.

Marcy Flickinger, foster care and adoption supervisor for McKean County, said that Bailey plays an important role in the foster care department.

“Some unique traits about Peg — she has a huge heart. She never gives up kids. She will take the kids that everyone else says no to,” she said.

Flickinger said that Bailey makes sure all children are given a fair chance, and she is able to take care of difficult children well.

“She has given those children a forever home. Peg even welcomes back kids she had placed in her home in the past,” she said. “I am very thankful to have Peg as one of our foster parents.”

And for Bailey, being around children is something she said she wouldn’t change for the world.

“We have a lot of good kids. And I wish more people would go into it. You just got to have a good support system,” she said.

Foster care has run in Bailey’s family. She said her mother took in children for years.