A Nostalgic Time of Year

I seem to get nostalgic this time of year. My son and daughter both have birthdays this month. They were both born on Fridays, and it was cold and had snowed both years. I remember Jim driving us home in our old black pick-up truck. There was a Christmas tree in the living room to welcome us as we stepped in. Their birthdays are right before Christmas, and mine is right after. We celebrate the birth of Jesus right between our birthdays, yes, December is a special month for us! I think back to the years when I was pregnant and how we got things ready for the birth of our babies. It makes me think of how Advent is a time of waiting, of preparation.

The following story is one I wrote six years ago. A story of life and how adoption saves generations.                                                                                           

Life is a gift, and we are all beautifully, fearfully, wonderfully made. 

Once upon a time, fifty or so years ago, a baby girl was born and she needed a home. Never knowing the circumstances or the reason why, her birth mother couldn't keep her, she had to say goodbye. This baby girl was three days old when a loving family came, and took her to their home. Now this baby girl had a family of her own.

With love and joy and happiness this baby girl grew up, she never met a stranger and her heart was full of love. She loved to hear the stories about her special day, the day her family came and gave her their name.

When she was only eight years old, the scary news came, her loving mother had cancer, the little girl was afraid. Her mother was strong and courageous as she battled day to day, and when the girl was twelve years old the angels came, and took her mother away. She knew her mother was in heaven, no more pain did her
mother feel, and although she understood why it had to be this way, the grief she felt in her heart would never go away.

The young not quite teenage girl was strong, she was raised that way. She had watched her mother suffer and never heard her complain. Her mother had prepared her, knowing this day would come. Her love of God, her father, older brother, church family and friends, would be there for her, as the years came and went.

She was now a young lady, thought she was so grown up, off she went to college, another life event. She made new friends and she had fun, but she missed her dad, her brother, his wife, and friends back home. Then one day it happened, a Sunday afternoon, she met a man, the most wonderful, handsome man and her heart grew and grew.

Within a short time they were married, became husband and wife. So thankful God had blessed her with someone she would cherish and love all of her life. She had a new name, and a home of her own, she was also blessed with a stepson, she quickly grew to love as her very own.

Expecting their first child, the baby grew, and as the mother heard the heart beat and felt her baby move, she was amazed at what her body was going through. With her husband at her side the doctor said, "It's a boy" and the mother cried, my first born is a son, and the emotions that went through her can never be described, but the love and protectiveness she felt for this child was an overwhelming feeling that would never die.

As she held her son close to her breast, she thanked God for his life, for being so blessed. When the baby boy was just three months old, the new mom found out she was expecting once more. When her husband came home from work that day he sat down in the rocking chair and held their son. She knelt on the floor and leaned against his legs as she shared the good news of another baby on the way. He smiled and told her everything would be ok.

This happened during the time when the oil boom had gone bust, work was slow, there had been lay-offs and his new job didn't pay as much. There would be no insurance to cover the costs. They saved and worked side jobs to pay for the birth, the hard times together, they grew so close.

The baby boy walked at ten months old, and his mom chased after him as her baby and her tummy grew and grew! The mother heard the heart beat and felt her baby move, and once more, she was amazed at what her body was going through. The baby boy was happy and had a beautiful smile, he was into everything, and his pregnant mom was tired! Would this new baby be a brother or a sister, for the two boys they already had, another son or a daughter, either way, they would be glad!

The night before the baby came, the mom was in the kitchen, she looked into the living room just in time to see her baby boy dive from the chair into the presents beneath the Christmas tree. She dashed across the floor and caught him mid-air, nine months pregnant, not a moment to spare!

Early the next morning, the labor pains came, they picked up their sleepy baby boy and all loaded up in the black pick-up truck. They took him to his aunt and uncles and told him they'd be back, and off to the hospital they dashed.

Just four hours later with her husband at her side they heard the doctor say, "It's a girl" and then they cried. Tears of joy, a daughter, a baby girl, and the emotions that went through her can never be described, but the love and protectiveness she felt for this child was an overwhelming feeling that would never die. As she held her daughter close to her breast, she thanked God for her life, for being so blessed. The next year was busy with two babies under two. The baby boy was fearless, and loved to run and climb. The baby girl was carried upon her mother's hip to keep her off the floor, and safe from baby brother who would zoom back and forth. The baby girl was happy and loved her mom and dad, she would laugh at her brother's antics and stay close by her mama's side. She loved her swing, and you can guess why, the floor was otherwise occupied!

The years went by and the children grew up. They loved when their oldest son came for a visit, their family complete. They were a close knit family, and shared so
much love. They were raised going to Mass and all their sacraments they made. God was always a priority and still is to this day.

Three weddings have been celebrated and blessings of grandbabies galore, who could ask for anything more!

Yes, it's true, this story is about me and my sweet, and much loved family.

Peace and blessings to you and yours! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!