When I was 15 years old, I had something devastating happened to me. I found out I was pregnant and I had to find a way to tell my parents. I racked up the courage to tell my mom, she hugged me tight, and that was the moment I learned I had a brother out there somewhere. My mom, along with my dad, were there to support me in raising my son, even at such a young age. My mom never wanted me to feel the pain that she felt when she became pregnant at age 16. She was not given the choice to keep her son, her parents made her give him up and it was the hardest thing she ever experienced in her life.
By the time I was 18 years old, we found my brother Scotty. We met him at the airport for the first time, and my mom was a nervous wreck. We all were. But by the grace of God, their relationship flourished and they became very close. They were able to build the bond that was taken from them all those years ago. Unfortunately, 17 years after their first meeting, my brother Scotty was murdered. My mom, forever grateful for the opportunity to meet him, was devastated once again. But the love she had for him never died, she held onto the memories and cherish them with everything she had.
Just three months ago my mom passed away from the horrible disease of cancer. Our journey was a beautiful one and I was able to be by her side through her illness and when she took her last breath. As I was going through old photos over the weekend, I came across this poem. Although my mom was not the author of this poem, I know she felt every word in the depths of her soul. This for any mother who has had to give their child up for adoption. I hope it touches you the way it touched me.
“Once there were two women who never knew each other
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother
Two different lives shape 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 made an adoption plan, that was all she could do
The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you
Now, which of these two women are you a product of?
Both, my darling, Both, just two different types of love”