Placing my daughter for adoption was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. It was not made quickly or easily. It took months of counseling with my wonderful and caring social worker at New Life Adoptions, much prayer, and deep thought. As my pregnancy progressed, I grew to love my baby more and more, and it hurt to think of her not being with me anymore. Because of that deep love, I wanted only the best for her.  I wanted her to have a chance for the best life possible, and I knew I wasn’t going to be able to give her that at the time. I wanted her to have a safe, stable home with a mom and a dad and siblings. In placing her with the adoptive family I had chosen, I felt like I was giving them a gift that they would not have otherwise. That brought me happiness and peace.

The following is from a letter I wrote to her during my pregnancy.

Dear Baby,

I feel you moving around a lot lately in there. I feel sad because I know soon you won’t be here with me anymore. There will just be a big empty space inside of me, but you will always have a place in my heart. Please don’t ever think that I didn’t love you enough to keep you, because I love you enough to let you go and have a better life than I can give you. I will never forget you, and I will always love you. Someday I hope you will understand. Someday I hope you will love me too.

About the Author: Cindy Clough Schramm is a birth mother who placed her daughter through New Life Adoptions in 1990 and was joyously reunited with her in 2011. She is a poet, writer and avid reader. She has overcome many trials in her life with her faith, and she hopes to inspire, encourage, and give hope to others through her writing. She enjoys flavored lattes, anything chocolate, good books, flower gardening, nature walks, and lazy days at the lake. You can find her writing on Facebook and Instagram.