The Legacy of the Adopted Child

This week we celebrate two milestones in our family. The first is on Monday June 22; it is the 4 month anniversary of bringing our little girl home. The second milestone is Tuesday June 23, Hope's 1st Birthday. Although I'm busy preparing for next weekend's 1st birthday bash, I can't help but think of Hope's birth mother. This must be a difficult time for her. I'm sure that she is thinking of her daughter, and wondering where she is and how she is doing.

I want to share the following poem with everyone. My sister gave it to me for my baby shower, and I read it often, especially when I have Hope's birth mother on my mind.

Once there were two women who didn't know each other
One you do not remember
The other one you call mother
Two different lives shaped to make you one
One became your guiding star
The other became your sun
The first one gave you life
The second one taught you to live it
The first one gave you the need for love
The second one was there to give it
One gave you nationality
The other gave you a name
One gave you talent
The other gave you aim
One gave you emotions
The other calmed your fears
One saw your first sweet smile
The other dried your tears
One sought for you a home she could not provide
The other prayed for a child
And now you ask me through your tears
The age old question unanswered through the years
Which are you a product of?
Neither my darling, neither
Just two different kinds of Love

Hope is one month old in the photo above. It was her referral picture, and it was taken on her first day at Hope for the Abandoned orphanage.