Mothers

This is a public service announcement, Mothers day is coming, Mothers day is coming, Mothers day is coming soon. Prepare yourselves, for Mothers day is almost upon us. If you have a mother, or a wife who is a mother, or a friend or neighbor who is a single mom, you must prepare for the upcoming event. Do not get caught unaware, things will not go well for you if you forget or ignore the coming celebration. (trust me on this one)

Now, silliness aside for a moment. Moms have been on my mind an inordinate amount lately. I have been thinking about my mom because she is still in rehab, I have been thinking about a young friend of the family who is only a few months away from becoming a single mom, I have been thinking about another friend who will celebrate her first mothers day with her husband and child who is only a few weeks old. I have been thinking about a very young friend who's behaviours may lead to her becoming a single mom by next mothers day. But mostly I have been thinking about my lovely wife , blink blink............ Angie, the mother of my child, Gracie. I am sure that Angie has been thinking about her mother, the late Marilyn Tudor. I also know that both of us have been thinking about another mother recently. Another mother who has many names but yet has no name, I am talking about Gracie's birth mother.

Gracie's birth mother has become a subject as of late. Gracie has begun to make certain observations that lead to questions. A friend of ours who was pregnant, and then had a child, and was therefore no longer pregnant, has provided Gracie with some visual cues that have led to some tough discussions. We explained that she had a baby growing in her belly, which prompts the question, "like I was in your belly?" Uh, no. Angie explained at the time that Gracie grew in her heart. This of course will not be the end of this issue. A week or so later Angie decided to read Gracie a story from a book called "I love you like Crazy Cakes" It is the story of a Chinese adoption. This story gently brings the subject of the other mother to the forefront for discussion. It was explained to Gracie that she was in the belly of a woman in China and that we travelled to China to get her and became her mom and dad. Gracie understands that she had another mother at some point, but she is not really able to grasp the whole thing just yet. Angie has also instituted the practice of good night prayers, and part of that prayer is to pray for her Chinese mother. Some parents of adopted children try to distance themselves from the issue of birth parents. We, however, feel no need to do that. We know that this Chinese woman loved her baby very much and we know that at least for a few days she was a good parent as well. This woman made the toughest choice a person can make and did what was necessary to provide for the child she loved. She did the only thing she knew to do to assure her loved one would be cared for and made a selfless sacrifice to achieve hope for her daughter. Now, bear in mind, we have no idea who this woman is, no one does. We have not met her and it is impossible to find her. You might then ask, "then how do you know these things about her?"

Marilyn Grace, also know as, Yi Meng Chang, was found on the side of the road a few feet from the driveway heading up to the orphanage in Yi Yang. She was placed there, bundled up warmly, with a change of clothes and some powdered milk. The orphanage at Yi Yang is one of the orphanages that supplies children into international adoption. She was found by an orphanage worker on her way into work. Her age was approximated at 7 days old. These are all documented facts (names deleted) from the paperwork filed by the Chinese Institute of Children's Welfare. What is not documented, but I believe to be true, is that the woman who placed her there was off in the bushes across the road watching and waiting for the workers to come by and find her child. I believe she watched and waited to make certain, it was done. How hard it must have been to do this. This is how we know she was loved. I wish she could know how wonderful and happy Grace is. I wish she could know how much of a blessing she bestowed upon us. I wish she could have known the joy that she brought into our lives as we held little Yi Meng Chang in our arms for the first time some 15 months later. Grace is a very strong little girl, she is terribly strong of will and spirit. I have a feeling this is also a gift from her birth mother.

So, as mothers day approaches I send out this message and ask you all to pray with me.

Heavenly Father, please be with all the mothers on Your creation, this earth. Please provide them the strength to do the things that are required of them. Lord, please guide them with Your wisdom and nurture them with Your hand. Lord please comfort those who have lost their children be it through accident or through choice and help them find peace in You. Lord we ask that you send a peace and understanding to those mothers who have placed their children into the care and hands of adoptive parents so that they might not worry or wonder if their child is safe, send them the comfort and knowledge that all is well that is done with You. Dear God, please send this message strongly to a certain mother, the mother of Yi Meng Chang so that she may know the happiness and joy that has been brought to Grace and the let her know that through your grace all is well. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray.

Amen

Amen

and

Amen.