A Woman Who Gave up Her Son For Adoption over 40 Years Ago Reunites With Him – Opinion

Scientific AmericanMicrochimerism is a phenomenon that has been described in studies. It refers to the persistence of some genetically different cells that have been transferred from the placenta into the mothers’ wombs during pregnancy. The microchimeric cells could be found as long as 18 years after birth. These cells are not just found circulating in the mothers’ blood, but embedded in the mothers’ brains, where they become nerve cells, making these cells functionally integrated into the brain’s circuitry.

Wow.

This might explain the close bond that a mother forms with her child, even when she gives up her child to adoption.

A story of this phenomenon in action is the subject of this week’s Feel-Good Friday.

From Toledo’s ABC 13:

This was the realization of a 40-year dream. This was the dream of a local girl.

But sure enough, this month, we arrived Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport to find Myra Stevenson’s family hovering by a window, eyes glued to the tarmac.

“I just wanna hold him. This will only be the second time I’ve held him,” said Stevenson, tearfully.

She’s talking about Ben, the son she gave up for adoption 41 years ago. Stevenson was only in her 20s. She had been sent to live at a home for unwed mothers near her sister’s family in Colorado.

It’s a time that is still seared into her heart.

“I remember when I held him in my arms. I remember when they came and took him out of my arms and they told me this is the end, and to sign the final papers,” she says softly.

Ms. Stevenson married and had additional children but was haunted daily by the ghost of her lost child. Stevenson was reported to have thought of her son almost every day.

Around seven years ago, Stevenson’s oldest son began searching online in the hopes of finding his biological brother. Stevenson had already thrown out the paperwork for adoption years prior to this, since she believed that she would never find him. The Stevenson family was able to find Ben Adams, their sibling and son, despite having very little information.

Adams was confounded when the Stevensons tried to reach him.

“It was scary because I didn’t know who they were. After talking to them for a while, I realized that they were my friends. I was excited because I’ve been looking for them just like they’ve been looking for me,” Ben said.

After years of only having a telephone connection between the families, Adams and Stevensons decided to meet face-to-face after years. Adams flew to Toledo Express Airport in March and was met by all his family members.

“There’s a part that’s missing when you have a puzzle,” Myra explained. “That puzzle needs to fit. But now I can say that it fits.”

Stevenson was waiting patiently to be forgiven. It turns out, that wasn’t necessary.

“I didn’t grow up with no problems,” Ben said, holding his mother close. “I had everything I needed and wanted. This was truly a blessing. Don’t ever think anything else other than that.”

The guilt that comes with giving up her child to adoption can be very sad. Both mothers who decide to have an abortion of their baby feel a greater burden and deserve compassion.

It was amazing that Ben Adams could not only offer his mother forgiveness, but also reassure her of her right decision.