I shared my story about my first experience with #UnplannedParenthood and now I want to share with everyone my second, most unexpected, story and blessing of #UnplannedParenthood. It is especially amazing as we get ready to celebrate our 3rd Fantastic Five Day {our special name for Adoption Day} with our chosen, and very much unplanned child, Keegan. The unbelievable gift of adoption placed him in our lives. The very opposite of abortion but no less heartbreaking for the mother.
I am so overwhelmingly grateful for every woman who made the choice to not abort their child and instead choose the beautiful option of adoption. The amazing selflessness and courage these birth mothers show in the face of adversity is something so heroic it can not be put into words. As I shared in my first story, I could never have the strength to have made that decision. To know another woman is raising and loving my child would have broken my heart into a million unrecoverable pieces. Because of that knowledge, I have such a special relationship with our Birth Mom. I know how she suffers but I also know how happy she is to know her little boy is loved and cared for.
Keegan is the poster child for Abortion. I mean this in the most respectful way. So many people who advocate for abortion and places like Planned Parenthood use the examples of children conceived through rape to teenage, uneducated, drug addicted mothers. This is my son's exact story and start to his life. This boy would be the perfect reason to walk inside a clinic and make the appointment to rid the world of his existence. My son, who has suffered so much in the first 2 and a half years of life. My son who is so beautiful, inside and out. A little boy who captured this mama's heart at hello and who literally changed me into the person I am today. This boy, the world says, should not exist. She didn't listen.
Somehow through the grace of God she knew she was meant to bring him into this world. She had determination to see her "choices" through to the other side. Thank God she felt a baby growing inside her and knew it was such an important job to give him life. She loved him enough and took a chance on her #unplannedparenthood. She was so scared but refused to believe the naysayers that told her it would not be worth it. She didn't listen
So Happy This Little Boy Came Into The World
She had everything going against her. She was 16 and had just learned to drive. She had definitely been known to party a time or two. She had no job and was in high school. The father of her baby was abusive and was accused of raping her. He was currently in jail. I can't even begin to imagine the fear her future must have held for her. Even with all of that adversity facing her, she still said yes to life. I can't begin to imagine the judgement, ridicule and bullying she would have had to deal with . Mostly from people who call themselves pro life. I know it must have been hard, because even though I was 3 years older than her, I had walked that path. I knew how convincing these pro life cowards can be. She didn't listen.
Sweet Cheeks
When Keegan was born it was far from an easy road for her. Her addictions grew over time and it was a huge struggle for a teenage mom to raise a son she was not prepared for. She had a variety of helpers who would take care of her son on the weekends. She had a support system but it never seemed like enough. It was hard to live on her own and make ends meet. It was pretty clear that Keegan was not receiving the right care and he was starting to suffer. She was exhausted, mentally drained, addicted and overwhelmed. The Pro Abortion advocates would use this part of the story to say, "see, he would have been better off never having been born." She didn't listen.
A Beautiful Picture of Keegan And His Birth Mother
When I had the pleasure of meeting Keegan, he was a ball of energy and so incredibly smart. I fell in love with him at first sight. I befriended his mom and did my very best to encourage her. We talked for weeks... almost every day. When his mom told me she was thinking of relinquishing him to foster care because it was too much for her, it was a natural instinct only a mother could have, when I said, "Let us take him. I will be his mom". At the time, I didn't know what this would mean but I did know that sweet Keegan needed a family and a mom that could love him and take care of him. I felt such a sisterhood with his mom and was already deeply connected to her. Mother to mother... she needed help, he needed a mom and God gave me the immense blessing of being chosen for him.
Right Before I Met Keegan- 2 Years Old
The world would say she should not give up a child she had raised for 3 years. That it was her selfish addiction that she was choosing over her child. How could she walk away from this baby boy she fought so hard for? The world told her again and again that she was such a horrible person for saying she couldn't do it. It didn't matter that she spent countless nights tossing and turning trying to find a way to be the mom Keegan needed. The world didn't have time to empathize with her but had plenty of time to dish out judgment. She, again, didn't listen.
The Face I Fell In Love With
I am forever grateful to his mom for being open to adoption and not listening to so many people who told her it was impossible. I am deeply humbled that she chose me to be his mom. I don't take this responsibility lightly. Her courage and faith she demonstrated by carrying her baby to term is stuff of legends. Her selflessness to place her child into the arms of a woman she barely knew, but knew enough to know he would be loved, should be an inspiration to young mothers everywhere. Her humility {which I am working so hard on learning myself} in admitting she could not do it should showcase to the world the power of being a virtuous person. Adoption is not the answer for every mother facing adversity but she so clearly showed that it is an option that can be a win/win for all parties.
Keegan and I On His Adoption Day- "Fantastic Five Day"
We chose to have a semi open adoption with Keegan's birth mom. We chose this because it was in Keegan's best interest. You see, our child, is always at the heart of every decision we make. We stay in touch through pictures and social media. We text and I give her as many updates as I can on how her sweet little boy is doing.
This semi-open adoption has not been easy for her or me. She allowed her parents and brother's family to have contact with Keegan and our family. This is definitely not easy for her as she watches us form relationships without her. While she can not be in his physical presence, she has given that gift to her family. We both have to constantly work through feelings of selfishness, jealousy, anger, hurt, guilt, sadness and grief. We pray for each other and for our son. We celebrate every one of his wins and cry over each of his struggles. Even though we are walking two different paths, we are so connected in everything we feel and do. She is my son's birthmother, my friend and mostly, my hero. She made a decision the world told her should not be made and I am so very grateful EVERYDAY.
Little Baller
Our birth mom has shown us the incredible courage it takes to change a child's life for the better. While we were given the gift of fertility and had never "planned" on adopting a child, our birth mom gave us a much undeserved gift of life and love that we now know is transforming. Some facts to consider... as of 2006 the CDC reported that 600,000 women in the United States were waiting to adopt a child. That same year the CDC reported that 845,000 abortions occurred in the U.S... eliminating the ability for these woman to become mothers. EVERY woman can choose not to listen and instead grab ahold of their #unplannedparenthood with faith, hope and trust. EVERY woman can consider the gift of adoption and giving another woman the blessing of being a mom. That is giving women "choices". That is giving power to women. Adoption is a beautiful option and if was sold as aggressively as abortion, could you even imagine the sisterhood that would exist?
Adoption Day in the Judges Chambers
#Adoptionisanoption
How could the world say he should not exist? How could they defend the millions of Keegans we are missing in this world? I can't even fathom a world without my son in it. It would be a world empty of adventures and the beautiful spirit of curiosity. It would never hear his crazy laughter or see his boundless energy. It would never feel his snuggles or his juicy kisses. My Tom Sawyer would not have a Huck Finn to ride through life together. I would not have someone to love so fiercely my heart breaks at the mere thought that his life would be anything less than perfect. Keegan has taught me the most important lesson and I hope his story has taught you something too... EVERY child has value, even when society tells you they don't. EVERY child has the incredible ability to change your world if you just let them.
Our Fantastic Five....#UnplannedParenthood
***If you enjoyed this story of #UnplannedParenthood, please share it with some encouraging words of affirmation and love for Birthmoms everywhere.
Also, when you share it, please include a prayer for all women who have had abortions. Pray that during this horrific time of investigation into Planned Parenthood, they feel peace and sisterhood with women everywhere. May we bring hope, LOVE and support to each other, especially in times of adversity.
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