To me! Yes, finally I can claim this day as my own! My journey to Mama-hood wasn't an easy one, and there were a few years when the second Sunday in May found me sad/mad/bad, but all that has changed and all I can think about is how perfectly it all came together so that when Adeline needed a Mama, I was there for her. People who give birth know an exact date when they became a Mother - maybe it was the first day they knew they were pregnant or the day when their bundle of joy arrived, but it's a little less cut and dried when you became a Mother through adoption. Do I choose September 22nd, when I first saw a picture of Adeline's tiny perfect face with it's rosebud mouth and sleepy eyes and heard David shout "It's a girl!!!" as he shook me with joy?
But maybe I became a Mother before I even knew it, on the hot day in July when my girl was born or on the day when her first Mother chose adoption for her? Or what about November 24th, when our tiny anxious-but-brave girl was first placed in my arms amidst the happy cacophony of five new families being formed?
Or maybe it was December 12th, the terrible day when I was forced to return my daughter to the orphanage and go home without her. The day I knew that I couldn't live without her and that I would do anything and sacrifice anything to return for her.
Or maybe you could choose the day when I legally became a Mother - March 11th - when my daughter passed from the arms of her loving Nanny at the orphanage to me for the very last time.
All I know is that I am Adeline's Mother, for now and always, and she's made me the happiest Mama on the planet! I love my girl so much, and I'm so happy to share Mother's Day with Adeline's birth Mother and with Nga, the orphanage Nanny who loved Adeline until I could finally bring her home.
Happy Mother's Day...I've enjoyed following you on your journey to motherhood.
Posted by: Johanna | May 08, 2010 at 04:13 PM
Happy Mother's Day, Lisa. :)
Posted by: Bunny | May 08, 2010 at 05:10 PM
Happy Mother's Day! I know just what it means to you to be a mama!
Posted by: Steph | May 08, 2010 at 05:17 PM
Happy Mother's Day Lisa. Such a long struggle, but so worth it! Much love.
Posted by: Marilyn | May 08, 2010 at 09:46 PM
I wasn't sure if Mother's Day was the same date for you in Canada as it is here in Australia. I thought of you this morning, and now I see your beautiful post. Have a wonderful day.
Posted by: Victoria C | May 08, 2010 at 11:06 PM
Wishing you a very happy Mother's day! You definitely own this day! :)
Posted by: Shannon.The Pine Cone Gnome | May 09, 2010 at 10:23 AM
It's been a great honor watching your journey to motherhood. I hope you have a wonderful day today!
Posted by: Maggie | May 09, 2010 at 03:26 PM
Happy Mother's Day - Enjoy!
Posted by: karen | May 09, 2010 at 04:44 PM
Happy Mother's Day! Your baby is adorable! :)
Posted by: Tracy | May 09, 2010 at 06:08 PM
This post has made me cry - the 12/12..your expression took my breath away. My heart. My goodness. And to see the peace and smiles of today. What a delight - what a gift. Happy Mother's Day indeed.
Posted by: Marie T in NC | May 09, 2010 at 06:28 PM
Such a moving, meaning Mothers's Day post,Lisa, and the picture series is so touching, the 12/12 and the last one have shown such sorrow time, then followed by jubilant, joyfull days, dream has come true, enjoyed your 1st Mother's Day, you both look so happy, so belonged together...
Posted by: mimi lam | May 09, 2010 at 09:45 PM
Happy first Mothers Day to you Lisa. The post is beautiful, and the December picture made me tear up all over again of your very sad December! All of the above made you Adeline's mom.
So happy for your little family. Hope you had a fabulous day :)
Posted by: Elizabeth Mackey | May 10, 2010 at 08:39 AM
Happy Mother's Day and many more!
Posted by: Lynn | May 10, 2010 at 03:00 PM