Dear Abby: In May 1971, my father gave me one of your columns, because at the time I was faced with the most difficult decision of my life-whether or not to place my son for adoption. This column, which I am enclosing, helped me to make the right decision.
Abby, it is 19 years later, and now I can part with this precious article because my son and his parents have made our reunion possible! That little boy I parted with 19 years ago wanted to meet his birth mother, so his parents contacted me, asking if I wanted to meet him, and them. We all agreed to meet, and words cannot express now what it felt like to hold my son in my arms again!
There is no longer a void in my life; it is filled with my loving son, his wife and their son, my newly born grandson!
A simple ”thank you” is not enough. May God bless you and your work.
Another Unwed Mother
Dear Unwed Mother: I`m delighted to reprint the two letters in the column you enclosed:
Dear Abby: My 7-year-old son, when told he was adopted, asked the inevitable question: ”Then, Mamma, does that mean you`re not my real mother?”
”Well, let`s see,” I said. ”Here, pinch me real hard and we`ll see if I`m real or not.” He pinched, I squealed, and we both had a good laugh. A happy, frank discussion followed.
But the most wonderful part is that this precious son of mine has two mothers. I have had the privilege of rocking him, feeding him and watching him grow into an adorable 7-year-old. Yes, I am his ”real” mother and don`t you dare call me less.
But no less real is the little girl who refused to have an abortion, insisting, ”This little life inside me has as much right to live as I.” The little girl who looked the social worker in the eye and said, ”This adoption will work, because I am doing it for his sake, and I don`t ever intend to hurt him by interfering with his life.” That brave little girl has been true to her word for seven years.
Someday when he is grown to a big, strapping 6-footer, if his appearance in her life would not hurt the children she is now bearing for herself, I should be happy to think that I had so taught him to love and respect the thought of her that he would take her in his big arms and whisper, ”Mother, I love you.”
She has every right to his love. And he will be a better man if he proves wise enough to know it.
His Other Mother
Dear Abby: Not too long ago, a young boy celebrated his 14th birthday. I`m sure he had a birthday cake. He actually had two because I also baked him one and put 14 candles on it.
This boy was born to me out of wedlock. I was 17 years old and decided it would be best for Stevie if I gave him up for adoption. Stevie is not his name now, but that`s the name I gave him for the short time he was mine. I have no regrets because I know that my son has a wonderful home with parents who love him. To them I want to say, thank you for opening up your hearts and home to my son. I send my dearest love to you, and him.
Stevie`s Other Mother
