Courage is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. "Physical courage" is courage in the face of physical pain, hardship, death, or threat of death, while "moral courage" is the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, or discouragement. (Source: Wikipedia)
I can't help but think of all the courageous birth moms on this anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Especially the beautiful one we were blessed to meet just last month, through whom we were able to glimpse at least a small part of the journey these incredible women take towards adoption.
Think about it: in our Culture of Death, in our abortion-on-demand society where it's so easy to head over to the local abortion clinic and take care of it... in a society where - ironically - adoption is the option that has been stigmatized... these women decide to carry a child for nine months, a good portion of which time they can't hide that they are pregnant... they may face criticism or feel shame, they may be ostracized from their families, pressured by the baby's father... they may have to fight for their babies, the children's first protectors... going to work and school becomes difficult or impossible, their lives are (at least temporarily) thrown off course... they endure all the aches of pregnancy, followed by the pains of labor... and then lovingly place their sweet baby in the arms of another couple.
It's heartbreaking. It's selfless. It's, in my opinion, the highest form of courage. It's true love.
Birth moms (and dads) are my heroes. Especially the two who have touched our lives.
My love and admiration for them is something words cannot even describe. But it makes me want to be a better mother every single day.
You have a beautiful family. Those two girls are a beautiful example of how adoption can be difficult, but so worth it (for all involved).
ReplyDeleteBirth moms are strong and very maternal. I know some people who don't know much about adoption would disagree, but I think the most maternal thing someone can do is sacrifice their feelings for the benefit of their child.
Thank goodness for those women.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is exactly the perspective I needed today. I have been thinking about the anniversary all day long and it's driving me crazy. I just feel sick every time I think about it, and how very close my sweet baby boy might have come to the same fate. Thanks to the courage of his birth mother, though, he is alive and thriving! He's not necessarily napping that great, but that's another story ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding me not to just dwell on the doom and gloom today, but on the reasons to be grateful!
Amen and than you for your post! I have two courageous birth moms, both whom had family tempting them with what they considered "the easy way out", say yes to LIFE. Without their courage and will, and their love for their unborn child, I am not sure where I'd be. Thank God for birth moms!
ReplyDeleteAmen, praise God for birth mothers and fathers! They choose life and get to bless a family with a child!
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful for the 2 birth mothers that chose life for our kids! Eternally grateful!
ReplyDeleteCrying. Yes- they certainly are heroes for their sacrificial love.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful...I love the pictures! :)
ReplyDeleteSelfless - like Christ, giving of Himself to us in the Holy Eucharist.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photographs!
Beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteLoved this! I shared it on Facebook/Pinterest. I hope you don't mind. You have such a way with words!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, KC! :)
DeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful. I wanted to share it too-a perfect post for the sad anniversary of r v. w. Thank God for birth mothers, and for adoptive mothers too-the promise of you continuing the love the birth mother feels for her child is essential for them being able to feel at peace with putting their babies up for adoption. God bless you all.
ReplyDeleteLove this post! You are so right about adoption being stigmatized. If only more people could see how beautiful and selfless it really is. Beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteI love this! So well written. On this anniversary, I do become so sad for our country but this perspective is uplifting! A truly unselfish act!
ReplyDeleteI love this with all my heart! And that last photo ... just tears streaming down my cheeks. Your children are so precious!
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