There was a young woman pushing a stroller in the park. She appeared worn out and clearly upset. She was sitting there doing nothing as her infant wailed in the stroller. in the time, my husband and I were just looking to get out of the house, so we were in the park. I imagined how content she must be to have a child. Despite being over 40 and pursuing treatment unsuccessfully, I had not been able to conceive.
I noted the young woman’s worn-out appearance as we went by her. Air was filled with the baby’s cries. I had to walk over to the stroller. The infant spotted me, stopped sobbing, and began to look at me as I knelt down. The young girl returned my smile when I gave hers. Her mother was visibly worn out and appeared to be seeing her child with a tinge of contempt.
This experience got me thinking about how some individuals are blessed with kids but don’t seem to value them, while others yearn to have kids but are unable to. I reflected on my own unfulfilled desire to have children. We made the decision to try to assist the young lady. When she caught our attention, she said, “If you like her so much, you can have this little drama queen.” What mother would give up her child, I assumed she was joking. She emphasized, however, “I’m serious. Grab her. She is well, and everything is OK, the social services informed me. The doctor cautioned me against leaving her in the orphanage, despite my desire to do so. I regret it now.
What I had just heard had me in awe. She had grown up in foster care, was just twenty years old, and was an orphan herself. When she became pregnant after falling in love with him, he left her, claiming it was not his concern. She had no money and nowhere to live, yet she couldn’t bring herself to give the kid up. The doctor dissuaded her from doing so, so she went with her daughter instead of leaving her at an orphanage.
My husband and I made the decision to adopt the young child. I had a fair opinion of the mother; she looked to be a decent person. She signed a document giving up her parental rights, and we formally adopted the child. My daughter developed into a talented and lovely young woman. Funny how a casual contact may transform your entire life. However, coincidences do not always exist. God may have heard my prayers.
