Dear Katheryn (Catherine) Davidson,
Thirty-three years ago on June 1, 1977, you gave birth to me at Tacoma General Hospital. You gave me the most selfless gift I've ever received...the gift of life.
You carried me for nine months and gave me the chance to live.
You gave my mom and dad their first chance to be parents.
From what I know, I'm guessing you are now in your late 60s or early 70s. You may not even be alive anymore. Perhaps some of your children are. I don't know.
Either way, I have just one regret in never having met you. This side of heaven, you'll never know how grateful I am and how much I love you for how you loved me. And I've never been able to tell you that.
You are always on my mind around my birthday, when my mom tears up and we both say a special prayer in thanksgiving for you.
On my 33rd birthday, I just want to say thank you. I love you.
Love,
Shelley
LEGACY OF AN ADOPTED CHILD
Once there were two women who never knew each other.
One you do not remember, the other 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, and the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love. The second was there to give it.
One gave you a nationality. The other gave you a name.
One gave you a 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 that she could not provide.
The other prayed for a child and her hope was not denied.
And now you ask me, through your tears,
the age-old question unanswered through the years.
Heredity or environment, which are you a product of?
Neither, my darling. Neither.
Just two different kinds of Love.
9 comments:
Beautiful. She knows Shelley, I'm sure somehow she knows.
This is so beautiful, Shelley. As the mommy of two boys whose first moms also made a loving choice, I know just what you mean about thinking about her around your birthday. Happy Birthday to you!! I'll say a prayer for your BM, too.
I am humbled by the way you put this. Thank you for sharing.
hugs! ;-)
you are an amazing woman and it's sad to me that she never got to see that, she missed out, but not us!!
Thanks for your beautiful words, Shelley. We became the parents to our amazing son through an open adoption almost 3 years ago. I carry love in my heart for his birth mom at all times, but especially in the days right before and after his birthday. We are all blessed to still be in touch. -Anne Merrill
This is so beautiful, Shelley. We are all very grateful for both of your moms gift to the world in you. If she didn't know in this lifetime I am confident she knows in the next of the amazing woman she shared and the gratitude you have. God bless you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
What an amazing tribute to the woman who gave you life.
As a teenager I stood next to a number of hospital beds occupied by friends who made this same brave and selfless choice.
I remember 1 instance when the adoptive parents were in the room and they were nervous about my friend having someone there they did not know. I think they were worried I was going to try to change her mind. That I would hold her infant son and tell her she was crazy to give him up, that she should keep him, and that I could never do what she was about to do.
I remember holding that sweet baby boy and telling my friend she was beautiful, that her son was beautiful, and that her giving him to a couple who could not have children of their own was the most amazing, sefless act of love any mother could ever have. I cried with her. I prayed over her and I still to this day remember that room and all the love it held.
I am sure your birth mother felt that same love. For you, her sweet child.
What a beautiful post! Happy birthday!!!
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