What is sacrificial love? According to Merriam-Webster sacrifice is:
a: destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else
b: something given up or lost
// the sacrifices made by parents
Oftentimes people ask, “Why did they give her up?” but that is a misplaced question. Birth parents place their children for many different reasons. It could be that they already have many children and cannot afford to care for another. Perhaps they are in a conflicting state of health that prohibits them from feeling adequate to parent. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t change the outcome…
Birth parents make the ultimate sacrifice of love by placing their child for adoption. They surrender their parenthood for the sake and wellbeing of their child, and adoptive parents receive the gift of parenthood; in many instances otherwise lost due to infertility. It must take insurmountable courage, humility and unconditional love to admit that you need to place a child you have loved, created a haven for 9 months while your body was used and abused, and witnessed the miracle of her birth. I can understand why there is a 25% chance that a birth mother will change her mind and decide to parent after actually seeing her child. She has every right to keep her child.
To the birth parents who do choose to place their child after witnessing and experiencing all of this, I thank you! You are heroes and the ultimate example of sacrificial love.
To Siobhán’s parents, we are eternally grateful. You have made us parents and entrusted your daughter to us. We know we cannot promise that life will be perfect, but we can promise this; your child will always be surrounded by family who love and care. Your child will learn about God and how to have a relationship with Him. Your child will be given every opportunity that is within our power to enable her to thrive and succeed. Your child will always be cherished and loved unconditionally. And we promise to always pray for you.
Thank you for giving us our beautiful daughter, Siobhán Fiona Curtis.