Cheryl's Adoption Story

Why me? 

That was the question I found myself repeating, day in and day out for seven years. Why me? 

After four years of marriage, my husband and I were in a place in our lives where we decided it was time to start a family. A year and a half later, I was nowhere near being pregnant, not even a false alarm had happened. So began the journey for answers and help in becoming parents as we began infertility testing and treatment. 

At first it was difficult, the not knowing why. But I prayed that God would reveal to us the problem and that we could then begin to “fix” it. During this time of trying, hoping, and praying, many friends around me began to start their families too. And with each phone call to tell me of their pregnancies I found myself there again, trying to hold back my sadness and tears as I congratulated them on their happiness ... Why me? 

A year of testing and treatment began for us. The doctors had thought they had found the “problem” and so we set up treatment right away. Renewed HOPE! Then month after month, the hope of becoming pregnant began to fade. And with each failed attempt to get pregnant with all the technology and medical assistance, I again lifted my head up with tears running down my face ... Why me?

With a move to Kansas and an exhausted heart, a shift in our thoughts began. What is it you want, Cheryl? What is it you really want? The answer: To become a MOM. Then it was revealed to me that maybe the way I was to become a MOM was not through pregnancy but through Adoption. HOPE! So began the second leg of my journey to become a MOM, our journey to make a family. 

Many months went by as we went through the process of getting on the adoption list ... selecting an agency, doing the home study, preparing our home for that additional little someone. And then came The Wait. 

Several of my friends were making the same journey into adoption so I felt like I had my own little support group. It was comforting to know that I wasn’t alone. Then, one by one, they each got their call ... they were becoming MOM’s!!! And with each phone call to tell me about their babies I found myself there again, trying to hold back my sadness and tears as I congratulated them on their happiness ... Why me?

Oh the prayers were so many, why me, when would it be my turn, how much more can I take? 

Two and a half years go by and I become busy in other parts of my life. I continue to pray about becoming a MOM, still hoping. And then one morning in mid October it happened! THE CALL!!! You have a son!

As we gazed upon the precious gift that God had given us that crisp October day, I was amazed at how much I instantly loved this son of mine. “I AM A MOM”, my heart shouted!!! 

And then I knew, why me? God had it all planned and I just had to wait, patiently, for him to work his will. You see, Garrett, our son, was always supposed to be ours; we just had to wait on him to get here. And oh, he was so worth the wait!