“But there’s a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking. But behind all your stories is always your mother’s story, because hers is where yours begin.”
― Mitch Albom, For One More Day
I call this my fairy tale because it is a story of struggle with a very happy ending: Once upon a time my husband and I decided to have a baby. Unfortunately nothing was happening, and many years of agonizing fertility treatments later it was determined that we may never conceive.
After much soul-searching, we decided to adopt. We knew a lengthy process lay ahead of us but we were committed. For a whole year we researched; we attended meetings and support groups; we filled out countless forms; but and we persevered. We were two short months away from getting our baby, when lo and behold, on Christmas Eve no less, I found out I was pregnant.
We really wanted both babies, but the adoption agency’s rule was if you became pregnant, the adoption was cancelled. My emotions were all over the place: I was ecstatic to be pregnant, yet sad that I would never get to know the baby we were so close to adopting. But after all those years of stress, how could I not be thrilled? Nine months later, my “little” ten pound baby boy was born. Three years later his sister came into this world.
My kids love this cherished family story – it’s my son’s story of how he began.
On this Mother’s Day build a strong awareness in your children of their heritage. Connect with your kids by telling your stories. Your family will treasure them.
By Claire Gawinowicz
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
