To realize ...

To realize the value of four years:
Ask a graduate.

To realize the value of one year:
Ask a student who has failed a final exam.

To realize the value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize the value of one month:
Ask a motherwho has given birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of one minute:
Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize the value of one-second:
Ask a person who has survived an accident.

Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.

To realize the value of a friend or family member: LOSE ONE.

~ Anon

Before I was a Mom ...

Before I was a Mom ,
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom ,
I had never been Puked on; Pooped on; Chewed on; Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom ,
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests,
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom ,
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom ,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment, or the satisfaction of being a Mom .
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

~ Anon.

Legacy of an Adopted Child

Once there was two women who never knew each other;
One you do not remember; the other you call mother.
One gave you a nationality; the other gave you a name;
One gave you the seed of talent; the other gave you an aim.
Two different lives shaped to make yours one.
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.
One gave you emotions; the other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile; the other dried your tears.
The first gave you life and the second taught you how to live in it.
The first gave you a need for love and the second was there to give it.
One gave you up it was all she could do.
The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you.
And now you ask me through your tears
The age-old question through the years;
Heredity or Environment, which are you a product of?
Neither, my darling, neither.
Just two different kinds of Love!

- Anonymous

The Chosen Heart

Longing for a child to love,
I'd wish upon the stars above.
In my heart I always knew,
a part of me was meant for you.

I think how happy we will be,
Once I adopt you, and you adopt me.
I dream of all the joy you'll bring,
imagining even the littlest things,
The way it will feel to hold you tight,
and tuck you in every night.
The drawings on the refrigerator door,
and childhood toys across the floor.
The favorite stories read again and again,
and hours of games with make-believe friends.

The day you took my outstretched hand,
a journey ended, but our lives began.
Still mesmerized by your sweet face,
still warmed inside by our first embrace.
I promised to give you a happy home,
and a loving family all your own.
A house you've now made complete,
with laughter, smiles and tiny feet.

A parent is one who guides the way,
know I will be there everyday.
Rest easy as each night you sleep,
a lifetime of love is yours to keep.
Longing for a child to love,
I'd wish upon the stars above.
In my heart I always knew,
a part of me belonged to you.

-Teri Harrison