I first came to Gladney in the fall of 2012 as a
volunteer. I needed to put in hours at a social work agency for my degree
program. I knew I wanted a career in a field where families are the focus, so
adoption seemed like a great field to look into! Gladney immediately took my
interest seriously and before I knew it I was interviewing for a volunteer
position. My time at Gladney as a volunteer was short but even in that short
time span I realized how much more went into this process than I originally
thought. Adoption is a very in depth process and it takes many people to help
everyone complete their journey with adoption. Everyone I met seemed so
enthusiastic and passionate about what they did there. The staff at Gladney
really does take pride in bringing families together. I knew I wanted to come
back again one day.
When it came time to do my internship for school, I
knew I wanted to go back to Gladney. I listed Gladney as my top pick and hoped
for the best. Thankfully, my school placed me with my top choice and Gladney
welcomed me back for an intern position; this time I will be with Gladney
through the spring. I work in birth parent services and love how each day in my
department is so different! On my first day as an intern, my supervisor told me
she had a placement scheduled and was going to check with the birth mother to
see if it was ok for me to go along. A placement is when birth parents
introduce their baby to their adoptive family. Really?! On my first day?? There
is no way this mother would want me there during this time. Little did I know
Mary* was a very sweet young woman with equally sweet parents who not only were
ok with me being there, but would later have some encouraging words for me.
Soon enough it was time to start and we walked down
to the Placement Room, where a large number of people have shared their first
moments as new families. The sweet transitional care mother walked baby boy out
to his birth mother and lovingly placed him in Mary’s* arms. She doted on him a
few moments and told Mary* how much she loved him. He had only been with her
for 30 days, often the length of time a transitional care family has an infant,
but it was clear that he was very loved while in his temporary home. Mary* held
him and snuggled him a few moments before heading into the room where he would
meet his forever family. His mother, father, and big sister eagerly awaited his
arrival and were beaming as they met the new addition to their family. The
tears! There were so many tears cried. Tears of joy as this family met their
son and tears of sorrow as this sweet birth mother lived out this incredibly difficult,
yet selfless decision. Tears of joy from the transitional care mother who said
seeing moments such as these is what makes her open up her home the way she
does. More tears from Mary’s* parents as they undoubtedly felt their daughters
pain, yet felt such happiness that their grandson was being so happily welcomed
by his new family. And tears from a fresh intern, who didn’t quite yet know how
handle the overwhelming emotions involved in an adoption placement, but was
just so humbled to be there for that special moment.
There were pictures, laughter, crying, hugging, and
a few special gifts exchanged. Mary’s* father then asked if he could say a
prayer for everyone. He prayed for his grandson, his new big sister, he prayed
for his adoptive parents and their marriage. He prayed for his daughter and
their own family. Afterwards, there was a sense of closure and peace in that
room that can only be described as love and grace. How absolutely amazing our
God is that he would give a mother the strength and courage to make this loving
decision for her child; a sweet testimony of how great a mother’s love can be.
I walked away moved to my core and sobbed a bit
more, not sure if they were tears of sadness or joy, but I think probably both.
Mary’s* father spoke with me as he walked to leave and I told him how brave and
courageous I thought his daughter was and that they would be in my prayers. He
smiled and told me to never underestimate my impact on people I meet, how kind
words or even gestures could comfort someone hurting or in need. He said he
would pray that my journey in school and with Gladney went well. I will never
forget that. I in turn pray that I can serve Gladney well in my time here. I
look forward to every day there, thanks for having me again, Gladney!
Yvonne Munoz
Birth Parent Services
Comments
Post a Comment