“I’m crying because I’m happy,” I said to my sons…Our smiles and quiet laughter made us all more at ease. We held our sons’ hands for the first time and walked to the gathering place for all of us who met our children for the first time that day. Three days later the boys were playing and acting wonderfully silly when Jason called: “ommoni, ommoni.”
“He’s calling you mom after only three days,” said Gary.
–Elizabeth Dwyer, adopted her sons from Korea in 1974
I am humbled each day as I reflect on the seven beautiful gifts of life God has so carefully entrusted to me. I thank God every day for the joys and sorrows I have experienced in my 14 years of being a Mom. I am awestruck at the miracles I am privileged to experience each day because of my children. It is through the miracle of adoption that my life has been beautifully transformed by my seven, whom God so carefully handcrafted for me and me for them. This Mother’s Day I wholeheartedly give thanks to God for my mother who gave me life, the birth mothers of each of my children, and most especially I give all honor and glory to God for my seven children who have made me a mother through the glorious journey of adoption.”
–Anne Casey, Mother of Maria (15), Xavier (11), Grace (9), Francisco (9), Michael (8), Teresa (7), and Joseph (4), (India.)
“I started Thai lessons with my daughters. One day I was outside when my eldest excitedly motioned to me through the window. I opened the door, and Sophie exclaimed, “Sadie can do it! Listen…” Sadie artfully pronounced a difficult Thai phrase, “Rao Rak” (“We love you”). I marveled not only in Sadie’s pride, but also in Sophie’s encouragement of her sister, and our mutual delight in this new skill. I couldn’t have said it better myself, in any language.”
–Dawn Moyer, Mother of Sophie, 8, and Sadie, 5 (Thailand)
My almost 3-year-old daughter recently proclaimed from out of the blue, “My mommy is happy.” What wonderfully sweet words to hear your child say. I thought about this statement for a few minutes and decided that, although ‘happy’ is typically a temporal state of being, for the most part I am “happy.” However, I think the word I would choose to describe myself is “joyful”: filled with joy for having the opportunity to be the mother of such an amazing child. Yes, Robyn I am happy. I am filled with joy!”
–Sandra Dryden, Mother of Robyn (China). From Holt International magazine’s summer 2008 edition
“What is Motherhood? Smiles and giggles, endless hugs and kisses, chance to be amazed by how someone so little can be so much better at seeing the beauty in everything, huge lesson in not sweating the small stuff, your life revolves around giving and receiving unconditional love beyond measure, an opportunity to be trusted with God’s most precious gift and mold that being into an honorable person, an eye opening experience to prove that mothers are the ones that should be thankful for the blessings given….Most rewarding job on the face of the planet”
–Veena, Mother of Bindiya, 5, (India)
“A mom is someone who cares endlessly about her family and creates a bond among them that is special only to them. We love to be silly, sing songs and dance around our house. Meal times are always fun as we watch our daughter throw her food on the floor! The devilish looks she gives as she attempts to throw her spoon on the floor just one more time sends us into laughter and she knows that she once again rules! Yes, she has hit the terrible two’s, but these years will soon pass and before we know it she will be off to college as they grow up so fast. We are truly blessed to be Lindley’s parents. She is full of life and truly a gift from heaven.”–Lori Buchanan, Mother of Lindley (China)
Honor your mother or someone special this Mother’s Day by giving a Gift of Hope to a homeless and vulnerable child…..
