Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Twenty years ago...

....you gave birth to a baby boy. Nobody knew at that time what life would bring over the years but you made a decision that would change your life, your sons life and my life. You were wise enough to know that you were not financially or emotionally ready to parent this baby boy and you made the decision to let two strangers raise and nurture your son. You were 16 and had the option of terminating the pregnancy yet in your wisdom (well beyond your years) you knew that this little life had a purpose and you set aside the whispers from your church family, the taunts of classmates and the suggestions from well meaning people and decided to give birth then courageously give your child to a couple that were longing to be parents. I am still amazed that you chose us. We were many years older than the other 4 couples you were also considering and we were almost certain that you would exclude us for that reason along with a few more. After all, when you are 16, a couple that is in their 30's must seem ancient. Through your wisdom beyond your years you decided that our age was an advantage. You felt it meant we were stronger in our marriage and we had overcome many obstacles by that time. You chose us to be your sons parents. How can we possibly begin to express to you what our son means to us. We love him even more than any written word can describe. Thank you is such a feeble phrase at this point. You changed my life. You made me a mom. The one thing that I had dreamt about from the time I was old enough to ....... well, I don't remember a time EVER that I didn't want to be a mom. Your courage and wisdom at such a young age changed so many lives and continues to do so. Our son is a wonderful man now. I know you are thinking about him today, on his birthday, and I just wanted you to know that I am thinking about you. I hope your life has become the wonderful life that you deserve. As feeble as it sounds....thank you.

13 comments:

Rob, Tina and the boys said...

What a beautiful post. Thanks for making me cry in my coffee. :)

Yo-yo Mama said...

A beautiful tribute, and Happy Birthday.

beagle said...

I am seriously weeping on my keyboard now.

Love to you all . . .

xo
B, C and our little N.

Stephanie said...

What a wonderful and touching post.

BekkiBoo aka tubelessstl said...

sniff sniff. I love this post. Thanks for putting it out there. Sometimes in the adoption world of blogs we don't see such sweet posts like this.

hope548 said...

Oh, and happy birthday to S1!! (the word verification word is matie, not relavent that I know of, just thought it was funny)

Miss Thystle said...

that was beautiful and so touching.

Wordgirl said...

What a beautiful post. It brought tears to my eyes. The goosebumps are still on my arms as I write this.

Pam

Evil Stepmonster said...

What a gorgeous post. How thoughtful of you to think of her on this day. That's obviously why she chose you.

Anonymous said...

OHN, you are an excellent writer; very insightful and sensitive. Thanks for sharing this special part of your life.

At your specific request, you can now make comments on my blog site. Knock yourself out, kid!

Jade said...

Very deep and heavy with emotion. As many have already stated, it was a gracefully written tribute.

Michele said...

I showed this post to my mother, who was adopted at birth. We have always known her birth-mother had died during child birth of cervical cancer (mom was 3 months premee, 65 years ago). Her brother (my uncle) was adopted, too. She just hugged me and told me that my grandma was the only person she would ever call "mom", even if hers had been alive. Neither mom nor my Uncle have tried to trace any of their blood roots, but both have traced their "ancestry"... that of my grandparents who adopted them. It sounds like your S1 is in very good loving hands, and that his birth-mom knew that he would be, even at such a tender age. I'm sure she said a prayer to bless you and the son she gave you.
Happy Birthday to S1!

Sitting In Silence said...

Beautiful post OHN....

Thanks for sharing it with us xoxox