Life Changing

An appointment with my doctor confirmed what I had suspected for over a month; I was pregnant. I was 23 years old. A single mother with a two-year-old son. Upon confirmation of my second pregnancy, I cried.
Cried out of fear that I could not support another child on a minimum wage job, that I was alone. Once I cried out all of my misgivings, I sat down with my mother, and we looked at my options. Given the reasons stated above, I decided on adoption. I contacted a local adoption attorney and started the process.

I gave birth to my son and met his adoptive parents for the first time that day. At first, I was apprehensive, sad, and even angry. Eventually, those feelings gave way to depression, despair and shame. My biggest challenge as a birth parent is dealing with the emptiness and depression I sometimes feel. I sought counseling and have a better understanding of my emotions. I will always have that emptiness, but I have learned how to cope with it. I want to better my position in life not only for myself but for my children. I want my son to be proud of the accomplishments I have made. But most of all I am doing this for myself. It keeps me focused and determined to be the best possible person I can be.

My education provides me and my family with the resources to enjoy life. It also allows for career advancement opportunities that would otherwise be unobtainable. It gives me great pleasure and a sense of self-accomplishment. Even though I am 38 years old, I have continued to pursue the dreams and goals I set for myself when I was in high school.

My life-changing experience with adoption has made me a better person. I currently work with economically disadvantaged families by helping them identify and obtain the resources to get an education and job skills training. It is what I was meant to do. Once you meet someone who’s going through similar life experiences as you, you get involved and embrace them as a family member.

I am truly a better person because of the sacrifices I have made. My dream is to one day tell my son of all the positive things he has brought in my life by just being him.