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My husband and I were not allowed to adopt a boy because of poverty. However, a wealthy couple adopted him. A year later, however, an unexpected turn of events led to him returning to us.
Keith was working on his radio repair when Keith saw me and asked for the pregnancy test kit.
“Another negative, Keith. I don’t want to try anymore,”I said. “I—I give up.”
“Could you pass me the screwdriver?”He asked. “I think I almost fixed it.”
I don’t understand why but suddenly, I felt rage. I threw my test kit on the floor and screamed at the man. “Looks like I’m the only one who cares about it all, Keith! You don’t give a damn, do you?”
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He did something to radio and it began playing an older song. “Let me know when you’re ready to talk,”He eventually agreed. “I went to a group home today.”
“A what?”I asked. “Are you suggesting we adopt?”
“Aren’t you done with these fertility treatments, Lara?”He said this, while wiping away the dust from the radio.
“But Keith—”
“It’s affecting your health and our relationship, honey. What do we want in life? A happy family, right? A child needs love. If you are ready for it, we can visit the shelter tomorrow. We can have the family we always wanted. Let’s not stress ourselves anymore, ok?”
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Keith was right wasn’t he. I wanted the opportunity to become a mother and he wanted to be father. We didn’t care if the child was not of our blood. We could offer him love and a safe place to call home. I believed that’s all a child could need. But I was wrong.
After many meetings and visits with social workers, we decided that we would take a boy home. He was just 6 years old, with big, blue, innocent eyes and a longing for love. Patrick. This was his name. He was our first love.
We didn’t think for a second that he wasn’t our child. We were excited to welcome him home. Even though I was certain that his bedroom walls would feature blue wallpaper, and lots of superhero posters, I decided to make it a room. He told me Captain America was his favourite.
Spending money on children is not as important as spending love on them.
However, during one of our meetings to the social worker who was in charge of his case we were denied adoption.
“We investigated your background and discovered that you didn’t meet the financial requirements,”She explained.
In all honesty, that was what we expected. Keith and me owned a small repair business, but we were not financially secure. Our worst fears were realized.
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“Ma’am,”I said. “While we agree we lack on the financial front, we assure you we can give Patrick a loving home. He loves us too.”
“Look, ma’am,”She told me. “We work according to the state laws. We don’t rely on assurances. It’s our duty to ensure the child gets the right home, and you’re disqualified.”
Keith and me left the social worker’s office with a heavy heart. A couple from another city entered. Their extravagant attire was a sign that they were not of the same mediocre class as us. “They’re rich. They can get the child they want!”I was in tears.
I suddenly heard Patrick’s name and stopped. Keith and me stood outside the office. We knew that we had done something wrong but we still listened in on their conversation. It turned out that they were there to help Patrick.
Imagine how it hurt when we found out that Partick was adopted by a wealthy couple who had checked all boxes.
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“Keith…” I said quietly. “Patrick is not coming home. He is never going to call me mom.”
“Let’s go home, Lara. We’ll talk about this later,”He said it sadly.
I don’t know what Keith did to console his heart. But I didn’t and I did something completely crazy. Patrick and I met at his school. I visited Patrick without telling anyone. I bought him chocolates as well as a scarf I knit for him. He was also happy to see me.
Keith and I had an argument about it two days later.
“Are you freakin’ out of your mind, Lara? They’ve threatened us to involve the cops if you don’t stop!”
Patrick’s adoptive family found out about me meeting Patrick and sent us a letter cautioning me to stay away. How could I? Patrick was not pleased with them. It was evident to me. I could see the pain in the eyes of the boy.
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“He is not happy with them, Keith…” I said quietly. “I—I can’t see him like that.”
“Jesus!”Keith was furious. “You are ruining everything for him and us, Lara! He’s a child, for God’s sake! Not your property!”
“I never called him my property, darling! He is the little boy we loved! The boy we thought would be our son! He—he is sad, and it breaks my heart—”
Keith wrapped his arms around us and I burst into tears before I could even say anything. We continued to do this until I stopped crying.
“Lara, we’ll figure this out together, ok? Maybe you think Patrick isn’t happy in his new home because you’re just being overprotective. If you love him enough, let him go. That’s the best for us, too.”
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Keith stated that Patrick needed me to leave him so he could be comfortable in his new life. It was hard to let go, but I did it. Patrick was my motivation.
Keith and I agreed to work together to improve the financial situation and adopt another child. We would need to start again.
Our hard work paid off a year later. Keith got a job as an office manager, and we converted our small repair shop into a café. We had to sell our family heirlooms and borrow money from friends to start the café, but everything worked, and we were in good financial shape.
When we went to the shelter, Patrick was the only thing I could remember. His smile and his eyes always said that we were meant for each other. It was hard for me to believe that I was wrong.
“I don’t know, Keith,”I said. “I’m missing Patrick a lot today. Every kid here reminds me of him.”
“Let’s meet other children, Lara. I know this is hard for you, but let’s try at least?”He spoke, and I nodded. We walked on to the next room and he held my hand as we walked.
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Keith turned to me as I crossed the first room. “What’s wrong?”He asked.
“Patrick!”I was in tears. “It’s him!”
I ran to the boy and said: “Hi. Hey, Patrick. Do you remember me?”
He smiled at him and turned his head. “Lara?”
I nodded.
“Are you here to take me home finally? My old mommy and daddy were not nice,”He said it sadly. “They didn’t love me, so I came back here.”
“Would you want to come with us, little boy?”I was in tears. “Daddy Keith is also here…”
Patrick smiled and hugged us. “Can I call you mommy then? Please?”
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“Mommy!”It made me feel complete. It made me feel as if I was in control of my life. I felt like I was in heaven when my son hugged me.
Six months later, his laughter filled our empty home and we had to make a room with orange color instead of blue. Patrick discovered that orange was his favorite color! But he was happy to keep the superhero posters.
It’s still hard to believe that he is now my son. When I felt he was unhappy, I was correct. Mothers’ instincts and heart are right.
What can we learn from this tale?
- Spending money on children is not as important as spending love on them. Lara and Keith were not wealthy but they loved Patrick like a child. Patrick will never forget it. He ultimately chose Lara and Keith as his parents over the wealthy couple.
- Mother instincts and heart are always right.Lara knew Patrick wouldn’t be happy in the home of the rich couple and was right.
This story can be shared with friends. It could brighten their day, or even inspire them..
This story is similar to the one that a homeless man spent all his money on to feed a girl who was lost in the subway. He received a strange package with keys the next day.
This article was inspired by the stories of everyday life and is written by a professional journalist. Any resemblance to real names or actual locations is only coincidental. Illustrations are provided for illustration purposes only. Send us your story. You might make a difference in someone’s life. Send us your story if you’d like to share it. [email protected].