A GIFT FROM GOD…

As I held my precious boy in my arms last night to rock him to sleep, I could feel the love and trust my little angel has for me. He had his arms wrapped around me and kissed me on the cheek, at that very moment I sensed a calm peaceful spirit. I knew then in my heart that my prayers for a child have been answered and that there is a guardian angel watching over my son. He is a beautiful little twenty-month-old boy with dark hair and big dark brown eyes. He is a dear sweet boy and very special to me, we adopted him when he was four days old and we named him Eric Daniel.

When Eric's birthmother went into labor we rushed to the hospital, which was an hour and a half away from where we live, and I wanted more than anything to be there in time for the birth of my son. Well, it turned out that we didn't need to rush, we waited eight hours before the Doctor decided to deliver the baby by caesarian. By this point I was feeling very nervous and anxious, however, I also felt terrible for the birthmother because of all the incredible pain she was suffering.

I stayed with the birthmother until they took her into surgery, then a short time later we saw our newborn son for the first time through the window of the nursery. The next morning we went back to the hospital, hoping to take Eric home, that's when we were given the news that Eric had a serious infection and had to remain in the hospital. My husband John and I drove to the hospital everyday to see Eric and to hold him and feed him, so we bonded immediately with him.

Finally, on the fourth day, Eric was well enough to be released and was able to go home with us, what a wonderful day that was! When we got home I fed Eric and changed his diaper (yes, I was immediately baptized by our newborn son) and I placed him in his new crib. I just stared at this precious angel, I couldn't believe after all these years that I was now the mother of this beautiful child.

It took 10 months for the adoption to become final, on that day we stood before the Judge declaring Eric legally ours, I had tears in my eyes and when I looked over at my husband John, He had tears too, that was one of the happiest days for us. It has been over twenty months now since we were blessed with Eric and I truly have enjoyed every day that I spend as a mother, I don't take any day for granted. I look at Eric now and I thank God for giving me the opportunity to take care of such a precious life.

I have to give the birthmother of Eric a lot of credit for making the right decision in giving him up for adoption. I plan on telling Eric that he is adopted and his birthmother loved him enough to choose to give him life and to give him to a wonderful loving family who adore him. Eric will also know that he was very much wanted and that I waited many years for him. I sure may not have given birth to him, but he grew inside my heart; He is a gift from God.

Colleen Duval 7/20/99

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