Never A Dull Moment

"So you got one of those throw aways too?"

I was having a phone conversation the other day, and it came up that we had adopted from China. The caller responded with the quote above. For once in my life I was truly speechless. For those of you who know me, this rarely happens!

Dave and I are not too sensitive about comments regarding our adoption. Most people do not realize how innappropriate their comments can be. But this was over the top. So in case this gentleman is reading our blog, I'd like to clarify a few things.

Our daughter was not thrown away. Her mother made the decision to give her life! Her mother did not abort after an ultrasound showed that she was having a girl. She did not smother her after she was born and heard the words "it's a girl". She had the desire to give her life, and this would be accomplished through adoption.

She waited a week or two and I'm sure agonized over what to do. She fed her, cared for her, and I hope, loved her. And then, after making a decision that I'm sure she thinks about even today, she took her to a public place where she knew she would be found. A public place risks getting caught and being placed in jail. Despite these risks, she loved her enough to risk it all.

So, no, these girls are not thrown away by their families. Should they be brought to an agency and handed over gently to a social worker? That would be nice. We may have precious information to share with Anna about her birth parents. But for now, these Chinese mothers are loving their daughters to the best of their limited ability. And for that, our family is truly grateful.