Every year, my family gathers
during the third week of November for a special celebration. We share a meal
and give thanks for another year together. We’ve done this every year since
1968, and even though it’s a holiday that is kind of unique to our family, the nation
celebrates alongside us for the whole month of November. Tomorrow is our 45th
annual celebration, and this year, our special day falls right on
Thanksgiving!!
Ken and Pam Larson were married on
Veterans’ Day in 1961. Like most young couples, they wanted a big family, but after
several painful losses, they realized they might not be able to start their
family the traditional way. Meanwhile, across the state, a 19 year-old single
nursing student discovered she was pregnant with a baby she knew she could not
raise on her own. She chose life, and in October of 1968, she delivered a seven
pound baby girl. The young woman decided giving her baby up for adoption was
the best gift she could give her little girl. A few days before Thanksgiving,
Ken and Pam got a phone call from their social worker at the adoption agency
and within hours, they were picking up their new daughter.
My adoption day has always been a
pretty big deal at our house. It is the celebration of the day God used the amazing
sacrifice of one woman to create a family that could not have existed otherwise.
With November being National Adoption Month and my adoption falling so near to
Thanksgiving Day every year, it sometimes feels like the whole world is
celebrating with us. Sometimes people ask me if I’ve found my “real” parents,
and while I know what they mean, I also know Ken and Pam Larson could not be
more real.
So on this Thanksgiving Eve, I am
giving thanks. I am thankful for the unselfish choice of a single young woman
in Nevada. I am thankful God chose Ken and Pam to be my parents. I am thankful
they were willing to consider adoption and that they chose me. But most of all,
I am thankful that God chooses each of us and adopts us into His family as His
sons and daughters.
Happy Thanksgiving!! (And Happy
National Adoption Month!!)
Heidi, Thank you so much for sharing the heart-warming story of your adoption. What a wonderful way to start my day!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you, Roxanne! I love my adoption story, and this was the perfect day to share it. I always love it when my day falls right on Thanksgiving...it makes it extra special.
DeleteHeidi, I read this beautiful story with tears in my eyes. What a lovely, lovely tribute!! I'm so thankful that young nursing student chose life. Otherwise I'd be missing out one of my sweetest Ponderer sisters. We don't know why God allowed your parents to go through those painful losses, but in His goodness, He granted them with a beautiful gift. Thank you for sharing such a lovely story! May your day be a time of love, thanksgiving and celebration!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa! My parents are so awesome, I love any opportunity to thank them in public. And I am also thankful that nursing student chose life. After I had my first child, I fully understood the sacrifice she made to give me a better life. I cannot imagine giving up a baby, but she did, and our family was blessed. My parents have had many opportunities to minister to other couples dealing with similar losses, and we all look forward to someday being reunited in Heaven with my all my siblings. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your family!!
DeleteSuch a beautiful story, Heidi. And I'm so glad to be celebrating with you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat! When National Adoption Month was officially implemented by President Clinton in 1995, I was pretty sure it was because I was adopted in November. Now everyone celebrates with me. It's pretty neat. I'm thrilled to celebrate adopting all kinds of family, like the Pondering sisters I adopted in 2009 and 2010. =)
DeleteHeidi, your story left tears in my eyes. What a blessing for your parents, and for you. God created our family through adoption, too, and I'm eternally grateful for the two children He gave to my husband and me.
ReplyDeleteMay your life celebration and your Thanksgiving be filled with joy and laughter. I'm sending you hugs across the miles.
Jeanne, on behalf of adopted children everywhere, I want to thank you for giving the gift of adoption. It truly is a gift, and I know your children are grateful that you chose them. (That's the best part about being adopted...we never have to wonder if we were "accidents" or if our parents really wanted us...We know we're special!!) I love being adopted!!
DeleteI hope your Thanksgiving is filled with joy and love and laughter and family. I accept your long-distance, virtual hugs; consider yourself hugged right back!!
Heidi, I didn't know you were adopted!! I could especially relate since we adopted 3 children! I'm excited to see two of them tomorrow!!
ReplyDeleteHeidi, you are such a blessing to me, I love to hear your heart. Thank you for giving us one more reason to give thanks this year!
ReplyDeleteI love this (& you) Heidi. Thanks so much for sharing. Can't believe I didn't see until just now but I was unexpectedly caring for 2 sick young grandchildren. God bless your parents, your birth mom, and you and family. I know many wonderful people brought to forever families through adoption, and I marvel that every single story is such a wonderful treasure.
ReplyDelete