How do such women even exist! She sent her own child to an orphanage simply because she didnt want the trouble of looking after him, and the boy was only four.
I have a dear friend called Claire. We’ve been close for thirty years. Claire is an exceptional person, and would have made a marvellous mum, but sadly, she and her husband were never blessed with children of their own. It just wasnt meant to be, but they stayed together, probably because their love for each other is so strong.
I have two daughters myself. Claire is godmother to bothnaturally, as shes been my closest friend for as long as I can remember, and she lives just down the road. It couldnt have been anyone else. I often recall how Claire would play with my girls, look after them happily whenever I needed her help. Then we’d sometimes end up consoling each other in the kitchen late at night, shedding tears over the fact that she never had children of her own.
One day, I got a call from one of Claires relatives, telling me that a distant cousin on her fathers side had decided to put her little boy into care. From what theyd heard, the doctors had diagnosed him with something serious, and there simply wasnt enough money to give him the treatment he needed. His mother was the sortconstantly chasing after men, never showing a real interest in her own child.
Claire told me about it and confessed that she felt deep down she had to go and see the boy for herself. As another friend later said, the moment Claire saw the child and those sad, bewildered eyes, she knew right then she could never leave him behind. Her husband agreed.
It wasnt easy. They spent more than a year commuting to specialist appointments and going through various support programmes. The lad was autistic, but they poured their hearts into giving him every chance.
Believe it or not, that little boynow called Edwardis twenty-four now. He finished university with honours, has a collection of sports medals, and is thriving in life.
Yesterday, I came home from his wedding.
Reflecting on it all, I realise that true family isnt always about blood. Sometimes, love and perseverance are what make a parentand what make a difference that changes an entire life.
