Thomas

Have you ever had an experience that was so painful it shook your very soul? Have you ever prayed that you could forget the pain? I have. Luckily, I never forgot the pain. If I had, I might have missed the joy that I felt today as I hugged my nephew, Thomas.

Three weeks after giving birth to Jaxson, my baby boy, my puddin' head, my sister gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. She was young. She placed that sweet baby with an adoptive family. I remember the day so clearly. I woke up at 6 am to Kate standing beside my bed telling me her water broke. I was exhausted. I had a newborn and hadn't been getting much sleep. I selfishly said, "Are you sure?" Of course she was sure.

What kind of question was that? The kind that wants just 5 more minutes of sleep.

Off to the hospital we went.

Hours later Kate delivered a beautiful baby boy. Kate said from the beginning that she felt like this baby wasn't supposed to be hers. So she gave him up for adoption. That sentence doesn't even begin to describe what she did. Kate had a strength that I am ashamed to say I have never had. I know it broke her heart. But she knew there was a better place for him.

Tonight I met him again. He is a man. He is absolutely beautiful. I watched that baby be born. I watched it rip my sisters heart out as she let him go. 

Over the years we half joked that he lived nearby. Jaxson once told me he had a friend that was a adopted. I immediately asked when his birthday was. We were sure he lived nearby. It turns out we were right. He lives a mile from our homes. He went to the same high school as my kids. He will be in the MTC with Jaxson.

Here are a few pics from this evening.

I haven't met his adoptive family. I imagine they are fabulous people. I can't thank them enough. They raised one heck of a boy. I am grateful that I am able to have a part in his life again.

I have loved him from the first moment I saw him!!1