As we celebrated Mother’s Day this week I think of my journey to motherhood. I struggled through infertility, but we were blessed with our beautiful daughter through adoption. I didn’t know many people who had adopted, and those that did all were very different in their approach to the subject. I didn’t have nine months to prepare for my baby to come, though, I’ve learned that nothing really prepares you to become a parent. However, I have been preparing my whole life to be a mother.
I knew that I wanted my children to always know how much I prayed for them to come to me and that I love them so much. I knew that I didn’t want my daughter to have a traumatic experience finding out that I did not give birth to her. In fact, I didn’t want her to have a memory of us telling her, I wanted her to always know that being adopted was a blessing and it was part of her own unique story. From the time that she was born I would tell her stories and I included her birth story. I told her about THAT phone call that changed our lives, and our drive to the town where she was going to be born. I told her about waiting in the quiet hospital hallway and hearing her first cry. I have tried to show her how unique she is and that her birth was no different. We celebrate her adoption day (Gottcha Day) anniversary as a family.
She is the child that made me a mother, but she is also part of another woman’s story, and I want her to always remember that. This way is not for all families of adoption, but it is what works for us. She is now thirteen years old and I believe that being open; and celebrating her story has brought us all closer as a family. Our stories are all important, it is what makes us the unique people we are. I
It can be easily forgotten that the simple act of sharing a story IS family history. My daughter and I have a special bond because of our story. What makes your story unique and how has sharing blessed your life and the lives of others?
