“Are you thinking what I’m think-
ing?” he whispered.
We picked up our coats and, with our
fingers interlaced, walked to the area
where a group of people had congre-
gated around the woman and the baby.
The grandmother beckoned us for-
ward, and I saw the child’s face for
the first time—round with almond-
shaped eyes and full lips. John wasbrave enough to hold him, but I was
not. She took our phone numbers,
saying the family would follow up.
That evening, they came to our
home. The grandmother entered
with an air of confident grace, but
the young mother, carrying her baby,
struggled to look us in our eyes. I
didn’t know her, but I wanted to hug
her. We sat in our living room with a
plate of cookies and cups of coffee.
Before we sat down, the mother
asked whether I would like to hold
her baby. This time I said yes. He fit
perfectly in my arms.Over the next hour, we learned that
he was four weeks old and that twelve
families had volunteered to adopt
him. The mother shared that she had
many challenges that prevented her
from parenting. Rather than letting
her son became a ward of the state,
she was choosing to relinquish her
parental rights to the best family. If
she picked us, all she asked was that
we let her be involved in his life in
some way. We agreed wholeheartedly.
I never mentioned the crab one-
sie. I wanted her to make her deci-
sion without being influenced by that
coincidence.
When they stood to leave, I passed
her baby back to her, and John and
I waved goodbye as they walked to
their car. Then we turned toward each
other, embracing silently.
The next morning as I brushed my
teeth, my phone rang.
“We picked you” was all I heard.
Two days later, the baby moved
into our home. After six months, our
adoption was finalized. Our six-year-
old son continues to be the best un-
expected thing that will ever happen
to me. And that crab onesie remains
neatly folded in one of my dresser
drawers, where I plan to hold on to
it—forever.THE MOTHER ASKED
WHETHER I WOULD
LIKE TO HOLD
HER BABY. I SAID YES.Everything’s a Health Food!
I eat what I want, tell myself it’s healthy, and let the placebo effect do the rest.
@shutupmikeginnReader’s Digest Everyday Miracles
48 june 2019