Six years ago today on October 6, 2007 one mother made a choice that would affect not only her life and that of her newborn child, but also the lives of complete strangers halfway around the world.
For reasons we will probably never know that mother chose to (or found it necessary to) leave her baby in a place where she knew that the baby would be found and then taken care of.
Six years ago today a tiny baby girl was found outside the gate of a hospital in Maoming, China. She was estimated to be about nine days old...and weighed only 3 pounds. Maybe the baby was born premature and the mother felt that she didn't have the resources to properly care for her. Or maybe the baby was born full-term but because she was so tiny the mother felt that she wouldn't be able to get her the care she needed. Either way, I imagine the decision to leave her baby that day was heartbreaking and unbearable but also selfless and filled with great hope for her future.
I cannot know for sure but I imagine that this same mother is thinking about her baby on this day, six years later, and wondering how she is...where she is...what she is doing...
She is happy,
She is healthy,
She is beautiful,
She is loved...by many!
She has brothers and a sister,
She has grandpas and a grandma,
and Aunts, uncles and cousins!
She goes to preschool,
and dance class!
All of her needs (both medical and developmental) are being taken care of,
And she will get the treatment and therapies that she needs and deserves!
And today, six years later, she will have her very own birthday party!
Strange as it may seem, I remember exactly what I was doing six years ago today. It was October 6th, I was six months pregnant with Maura and we were having a surprise 60th birthday party for my father-in-law.
Six years ago today the arms of that mother selflessly let go of the beautiful child who is now our beloved daughter, Audra. And in two days it will be six months since she was placed into our arms.
Six is a magical number!
Today I am thinking of that mother...and thanking her for the priceless gift she has given us in giving life to Audra.
And I will do the same each and every year on October 6th.
Audra has been a delight and great addition to your immediate family and our extended family. We have all found that a child can come in different ways - through the womb and through the heart - and everyone is special and loved!
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