Another emotional day

Today was one of the most heart-wrenching days that I have ever experienced. We went to a maternity home and shared our hearts with these brave women considering an adoption plan for their babies. Sadly, most of them have no chance to parent, so it was either abortion (which is becoming more common) or adoption. They had questions for our adoptees and they answered with honesty and eloquence. The tears flowed as they shared that they thought about their birthmothers nearly every day, that they might feel anger once in a while, but mostly sadness that they couldn't meet them. One of the pregnant women asked, "If you could have one thing from your birthmother what would it be?" Several adoptees shared and each answer was the same...a letter and a photo. I cried as I knew that this was the desire of my children's hearts also.

What brave and honorable young women they are. They told us that seeing families happy together gave them "much relief". I wished that I could have spoken to each woman individually and told her how brave and special she was. Many of them shared their shame at being in this situation.

Grief and loss is the reason we could build our family; I was reminded today that what was the happiest and most joyful time in our life, was a very difficult and sad time in another mother's life. I felt a connection with my children's birthmother that I can't adequately express.

As we left the maternity home the young women lined up and gave each of us a hand made bookmark. I plan to keep it in a visible place to remind me each day to pray for Bethany, Kari, and Austin's birthmother.