By Beckie Stewart
Guest Columnist
I’m a mom of five children, but an adoptive mother to one.
I didn’t receive much information on my daughter’s birth mother, but I often think about her. I wish to honor her memory and the precious gift bestowed upon me because of her choices.
I imagine that when this young woman discovered she was pregnant, she asked, What do I do? What is the best decision?
I envision her struggling with intense emotions…she is unmarried, and in Kazakhstan it is considered taboo to bear children out of wedlock…abortion is an option…she eventually makes the first difficult decision. She chooses life for her unborn child.
On April eleventh, she makes her second difficult decision. She gives birth to a little girl with dark hair, dark eyes, and light brown skin. The baby weighs less than six pounds. This young mother decides to release her little girl for adoption. I believe she would choose to be with her baby forever, but she knows she cannot care for her without a home or job.
As she signs the papers, she takes special note of the butterfly birthmark on her daughter’s face. She knows that mark will allow her to recognize her daughter instantly should their paths ever cross.
However, this young mother also knows that a family in Kazakhstan is not likely to adopt her baby due to this small imperfection. The thought of never seeing her daughter hurts deeply; nevertheless, she signs the forms to release her baby for adoption.
Ten days later, Aida is brought to the local orphanage where is cared for while her paperwork is processed on the local database. Little Aida waits three months before she is eligible for international adoption. During that time she becomes the favorite of several caretakers and is noted as the most active baby in the nursery.
With temperatures below twenty degrees and the New Year holidays quickly approaching, my husband and I arrive in Kazakhstan. We spend two hours with Aida each day for two weeks before we can petition the courts for her adoption.
It takes forty days from start to finish, but finally she is declared our daughter. We return to the USA and her four excited siblings, who are instantly enraptured with their baby sister.
On Aida’s birthday each year, I say a prayer of thanksgiving for the young woman who chose life. I pray for her peace and salvation. Through the sacrifice of this young mother, I have come to understand just how much my Heavenly Father loves me.
What an incredible gift I have been given to be able to be called “Mommy” by Aida.
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I love hearing you and Lana’s story.