Legacy of an Adopted Child

Once there were two women
Who never knew each other...

Two different lives
Shaped to make yours one.

One became you guiding star,
The other became your sun.

The first gave you life,
And the second taught you to live it.

The first gave you a need for love,
And the second was there to give it.

One gave you nationality,
The other gave you a name.

One gave you the seed of talent,
The other gave you an aim.

One gave you emotions,
The other calmed your fears.

One gave you up-
It was all that she could do.

The other prayed for a child
And God led her straight to you.

And now you ask me
The age old question.

Through your tears,
Through the years:

Heredity or environment-
Which are you a product of?

Neither, my darling- neither,
Just two different kinds of love.

(Author unknown)

Not flesh of my flesh
nor bone of my bone,
but still miraculously my own;
Never forget for a single minute,
you didn't grow under my heart,
but in it.

--Fleur Conkling Heyliger

I didn't give you the gift of life
but in my heart I know
the love I feel is as deep & real
as if it had been so.

For us to have each other
is like a dream come true.
No, I didn't give you the gift of life
Life gave me the gift of you.

(Title and Author Unknown)