Two Mothers, One Love

Our family, including Simret, had the opportunity to meet Simret's birth mother for the 1st time while we were in Ethiopia. Simret was as sweet as she knew how to be to her birth Mommy. We had prepared her for this day for months- the best we knew how- by talking it about it, showing her pictures of her, and answering any questions that she had. Now looking back, I wish that I had someone to prepare me for this experience. Unfortunately, I don't yet have the words to describe what my heart felt the day we met.

I can tell you that I was proud- proud of Simret for allowing her birth mother to take off her shoes, her sweater- so that she could see and kiss her feet and her shoulders. I was also thankful that her birth mother was healthy, had shelter, and was continuing her education (just graduated from 10th grade).

However, her broken heart was palpable- I could feel her longing to just hold her child- to hug her- to kiss every inch of her- to love the little one that has never left her mind nor her heart- to scoop her up and take her way. I was lost as to how to respond to her pain. All I knew how to do was to welcome her to our family- to let her know that she always had a special place in our family- to make sure that she knew that she was loved and will always be Simret's mother- that we would visit as much as possible and when we did we would make sure to see her. She invited us to visit the rest of Simret's family the next time that we returned to Ethiopia.

the necklace that Simret gave her birthmother-one half says Simret over and over (she gave to her birth mother- Adanech) one half says Adanech over and over (which Simret will keep).

I am thankful to the woman who has shared her daughter with me...she has a place in my heart where she will always remain- a place where I hope that she is able to feel the joy that Simret brings to me each day.