Happy Early Birthday....

Right now it is early in the morning on October 25th in South Korea. A young woman is waking up with tear-filled eyes and a bittersweet smile on her face. Today is her daughter's second birthday. Her beautiful, vibrant, strong and willfull daughter who has the most beautiful black hair and almond eyes. Just like her own. Her daughter, who can drink from a cup, eat with a fork and spoon, and ride a tricycle. Who can say Mommy and Daddy and Please and Help Me. Who would have thought that this young woman would have made it this far, survived so many empty mornings and lonely nights, to wake up on the second anniversary of this remarkable day.

She remembers it every day. The joy of seeing the beautiful new life, the precious angel she delivered into the world that day. The peace she felt as that baby girl slept in her arms for the first time. The fear of not knowing what life would hold for her or her baby. The pain of separation as she handed that little angel over to someone she did not know. This young woman remembers her daughter every day but especially on this day. This day, her daughter's birthday.

The young woman delivered a child into the world knowing that she would not get to see her grow up, go to school, get married, and have children of her own. She may not have even seen her the next day after her birth. She made an adoption plan for this baby girl so that she could ensure the baby would have the life she couldn't give her. The dreams that she could only dream for her. In the most selfless act of love and motherhood, this woman made me a mother. She made us a family. My daughter was born to this woman who I can only pray has peace in her heart for her decision. I wish that I could meet her, hug her, thank her....and maybe by God's hand, Emma can meet her one day, even if I can't.

Tonight and tomorrow night we will light Emma's Birthmother Candle and say a prayer for the woman who chose life and love for her daughter. I will tell Emma what a brave and selfless person her birthmother is for choosing adoption. And, I will have tear-filled eyes and a bittersweet smile on my face, because it will be my daughter's second birthday.