As I had written about in a previous post, my husband and I had a very long struggle with infertility. After nine years, multiple failed rounds of infertility treatments, and much heartache, we decided to look at alternative options to grow our family. Once we had made the decision to adopt, I felt new hope. There was a light at the end of the tunnel and I knew a child would be coming home to us before long. I had a dream that Mary, the mother of Jesus, had come to me and told me that I would be a mother. She promised that a child was waiting that needed our love and would arrive soon. I began praying to a shrine of Mary at a local parish near my home; she became my source of strength and solace.
Not long after we had been approved for the adoption waiting list, we took a family trip to Italy to visit my father’s hometown and meet our relatives. It was quite an adventure and during our excursion I stopped in every church we passed to say a prayer to Mary. Half way through the trip we received a call that a child had been matched with us. To say we were overjoyed would be a complete understatement. We tried to catch an earlier flight home but were unable. A once in a lifetime trip to Italy was suddenly of no interest to us as we sat around our hotel room looking at baby items, reading parenting info, and preparing for the homecoming of our first child.
I met my daughter – Baby S – for the first time in January, 2011. She was 20 months old and from the moment I saw her, I knew we were destined to be together. I had been terrified on our way to meet her wondering what she would be like. Would she like me? Love me? Would she accept me as her mother? When we entered her foster home and I came around the corner, we locked eyes as she ran toward me giggling; I picked her up and we embraced and I instantly fell in love. She was the child Mary had promised me.
After our daughter had been home with us for about a month, we were notified that there was a problem with our adoption. A biological relative had hired an attorney and was seeking custody. It was an incredible shock; we were frightened and found that we had no rights in the process because we were considered foster parents until the adoption was finalized. After three months of having our daughter home a court ruled that she had been placed with us in error. Baby S was taken from our custody and our world crashed around us.
The grief we felt was unbearable and I questioned what kind of God would be so cruel. Our family was lost, as was our dream of being parents. I had given up on motherhood; after losing Baby S I could not imagine bringing another child into our home.
Five months passed when we received the unexpected and unbelievable call from our adoption worker that the relative was no longer able to care for Baby S; she had asked that Baby S be returned to our care. It was a miracle, our daughter was coming home to us.
From the time we received the call until Baby S came home, nearly three weeks had passed. Again, I was worried about seeing her for the first time. How difficult would it be for her to move again? What had her life been like for five months? Would she accept us as her parents? When she finally arrived Baby S walked into our home and into my arms. Our connection had never faded. She was my daughter. Mary had known it, and at that moment, I knew it.
Baby S has been home for a little over six months now. She has changed our lives in so many ways and every day we wake up thankful to be her parents. While the grief we endured was unspeakable, the end result was worthy. I have come to know Baby S’s biological family well. They are wonderful people and together we all share a deep love for Baby S and want what is best for her. We will have an open adoption and Baby S will know her biological relatives, a true gift in so many ways. Had we not gone through this entire ordeal, we would have never come to know her biological relatives. I believe Baby S’s life will be better for it, as will ours.
I had been unable to share our wonderful news previously because our adoption was pending. However, on Good Friday we entered a courtroom with Baby S and our adoption was finalized. I wept as the judge who had removed Baby S from our custody a year ago stated that it was clear she belonged with us. It was the moment we had been waiting for; although Mary told me Baby S was destined to be my child, although we have known she is our daughter for sometime, the legal system has finally recognized this as well. So here, on this Easter Sunday, I am writing to tell you our family has been resurrected.
Gina Messina-Dysert, Ph.D.: Feminist theologian, ethicist, and activist, Gina received her Ph.D. in religion at Claremont Graduate University focused in the areas of women’s studies in religion and theology, ethics, and culture. She is the Visiting Assistant Professor of Theological Ethics at Loyola Marymount University and Co-founder and Co-director of Feminism and Religion. Gina has authored multiple articles, the forthcoming book Rape Culture and Spiritual Violence, and is a contributor to the Rock and Theology project sponsored by the Liturgical Press. Her research interests are theologically and ethically driven, involve a feminist and interdisciplinary approach, and are influenced by her activist roots and experience working with survivors of rape and domestic violence. Gina can be followed on Twitter @FemTheologian and her website can be accessed at http://ginamessinadysert.com.
feminismandreligion.com 
What a beautiful, Easter-themed story. I am overjoyed for your entire family!
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Thank you, Grace!
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Congratulations to you and your family!
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Thank you, Vrinda!
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Oh blessed, blessed be. Let us bless the Source of Llife, and the cycles of birth, death, and regeneration.
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Thank you, Carol! And thank you for sharing in my journey! xxx
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What a moving post, Gina. I’m very happy for all of you! Congratulations…
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Thank you, Pam! Honored you shared in my story. :)
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This is exactly the kind of story I wanted/needed to read on Easter Sunday. Thank you for sharing, and I am very glad that you have your daughter and your family (for good now!)
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Thanks for sharing in my journey, Joseph! Wishing you a happy Easter. :)
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What a wonderful story! It touches my heart in so many ways. My grand-daughter was adopted in an open adoption by her two mothers; my son has always been able to be her dad and I am one of her many grandmothers. She is finishing her first year at college this May and I am taking her and one of her girlfriends on a trip to Costa Rica.
I wish you many decades of love, joy and extended family blessings. May we create a world that will hold our children, and grandchildren as well as ourselves.
Warmly,
Arisika
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Thank you so much for sharing your story Arisika, and for taking the time to share in mine. Sending all good energy your way. :)
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Gina, I am so happy to have a beautiful new granddaughter. God, did answer your prayers and also mine. I knew she was a special gift to you and Chris. We are all happy for your blessing all from back in Ohio. Everyone here loves our new granddaughter, and cousin.
Love Momma D
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Thanks Momma D! :)
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Your story had me in tears! It never ceases to amaze me how God finds a way around any and all obstacles. I’m so happy for your family :)
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Thank you for your good wishes Annie. :)
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Thank you so much for sharing this riveting story — you have been through so much . . . Bless you and your beautiful new/old daughter — so wonderful it worked out this way.
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Thank you, Carol!
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Gina, I am so happy for you and your family! Tears of joy came to my eyes reading your post.
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Thank you, Elise.
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Gina,
Having walked alongside you for a while now on this path I can say that I am so happy for you, Chris, and Sarah. What a beautiful and inspiring family!
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Thank you, John!
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Such a beautiful testimony to the strength of one family!!! This made me all weepy!! Much love for you and your bambina!!!
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Thank you Marci!
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Cara G,
Che bella bambina e famiglia!!
Congratulations and it seems grace is with you all. Your story is blessed!
Un rigalo sacra!!
Auguri!
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Grazie, Janice! Vi auguro la gioia!
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Wow, Gina, congratulations, the tears are clinging to my lashes as I write this. I am a mother myself and can only imagine what it would be like to love your child with all your heart only to have them removed from your life, just the thought of it is excruciating. I want to commend you for your faith and perseverance as well as the generosity you display by sharing your precious one with her biological family. May God and the mother Mary bless the resurrection of your family and may it always be a cradle of love, light and happiness.
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Thank you for your very kind words Lusine! Wishing you much love, light, and happiness as well. :)
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Such an inspirational story! Thank you so much for sharing. I can only imagine the love that both you and your husband have for your child. This story is truly inspirational and I’m so happy for you. I have a cousin who is adopted and I saw the very long process my aunt and uncle went through. The emotional rollercoaster can take a toll on a person, but the outcome is priceless! So happy for you!
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Thank you so much for sharing alexis, and thank you for your good wishes!
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Thank you everyone for your good wishes and support! I am honored that you shared in my journey. It is an amazing time. :)
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Congratulations! Many blessings for your family. May God bless you and keep you, may God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you, and may God grant you peace…and lots of energy to keep up with your daughter – who looks like a bundle of joy!
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Thank you so much Patti! It is impossible for me to fully express my gratitude to you. Your support has been amazing and I am so grateful to you. Looking forward to you meeting Sarah. Sending all good wishes your way. :)
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Hi Gina!
I’m so happy that your daughter was placed back in your care! I don’t know what it feels like to loose a child, but I am very happy for you and your family!
Recently I have been struggling with something that God told me would happen, and hasn’t. While I wasn’t told by Mother Mary that this particular thing was supposed to happen, I do feel a sense of betrayal from the powers above.
Your story has given me some hope. :) Thank you for sharing it!
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I found your post as I was searching for material on Christian women, infertility and pregnancy loss. Such a hope-filled, perfect Easter message. Thank you for sharing. I hope to be able to share my own journey too soon, I am writing about it now, as it is on-going and unresolved, to communicate hope in the midst of the pain and grief of infertility, treatment, and miscarriage.
Wambura
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I remember it all. I think of you and your struggle as my daughter confronts her own issues. What a journey!
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