A Letter to Luci- Mommy's Birth Story and Adoption

Dear Luci,

I want to tell you a story. It is the story of Mommy's birth and adoption. I want this written down for you so that when Mommy gets older, she will be able to remember, and so that when you are older, you will know all about how your Mommy came to be your Mommy!

I was born in the evening on December 31st. Sometime after I was born, I was wrapped in a bath towel and left in a parking lot, outside, in a neighborhood. It was 36 degrees outside that night. An anonymous call was placed at some time and a police officer found me, wrapped me in his jacket, and took me to the emergency room. My body temperature was very low (90 degrees) when I was found. Other than that, I was a full-term, healthy baby. Notices were put out looking for my birth mother, father, or anybody that might have information. The news stations went crazy over my story. My picture was in the newspaper many times, and they aired many stories on various news stations about my story. After a certain period of time, I was released from the hospital and placed in foster care. I was the youngest of 9 children in the foster home. I was lucky to have a nurse in the hospital and a foster mother who documented and cut out the pictures in the newspaper for me. After a while, a judge decided that I could be placed for adoption.

My newborn pics are newspaper clippings! This is me with one of my nurse's at the hospital.

Your Mimi and PePaw had already adopted your Aunt Quinn and had been praying and waiting for 5 years for a sibling for her. One day Mimi got a phone call while she was teaching school. The lady on the phone told Mimi that they had a baby for her and that they could come pick up the baby in a few days. Mimi was ecstatic and ran upstairs at the school to tell her good friend Mrs. Patterson. After that, she got in the car and went and picked up your Aunt Quinn from preschool. Then, they drove over to the Barber Shop to tell Nandad. Then, they rushed home so Mimi could call PePaw at work.  No one could seem to track him down (you see a long time ago, telephones had cords and had to be connected to the wall...you couldn't just take them everywhere!), so the secretary told Mimi that she would put a note on his car and let him know!

On March 18th, Mimi, PePaw, Quinn, Nana, and Aunt Renata drove to pick Mommy up at the foster mother's house. Mommy immediately gave Aunt Quinn the biggest smile when she saw her! On the way home, Mimi sat in the back seat and fed Mommy a bottle. The entire crew stopped at McDonald's on the way home so PePaw could get a turn holding his new daughter! Everyone was so excited!!!

Picking me up!!

Nana, me and my Aunt Renata!!!!

I want you to know that not everyone's life has the same story or the same make up. Families are sometimes made up of a Mommy and Daddy, sometimes there is one Mommy or one Daddy, sometimes Mommy's and Daddy's adopt their children, and sometimes a special Aunt or Uncle may be the Mommy or Daddy. Some families have parents or children with different hair color, eye color, and even skin color. But the most important thing to remember is that no matter how God decides a family should be made, they are a family. You have such a rich heritage and so many people that love you so much!

Mimi used to tell Mommy the story of her adoption all the time when she was younger. Now, I am telling you. I hope some day you can share this story with your daughter. Mommy was a special blessing to Mimi and PePaw, and you Luci, are a special blessing to us!

December 31, 1985- Born, and left outside
March 18, 1986- Went to my new home with my Mom and Dad
May 2004- Graduated high school
June 2007- Married the love of my life
May 2008- Graduated college- Bachelor of Science - Marketing
June 2008- Started my first full-time "big-girl" job
May 2009- Welcomed my greatest accomplishment into the world, Luci
June 2012- Will celebrate 5 years of marriage

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".