Benji's Story - Part 2 (Selfless Sacrifice)

Today is Benji's 5th birthday so I thought it would be fitting to share with you his birth story. Five years ago, Benji's birth mother went to a hospital in Hong Kong, China to give birth to her baby boy. She went to the hospital intending to take him home with her. After Benji (then Ma, Nok-Hang) was born he went into respiratory distress and was experiencing heroin withdrawl. The doctors also explained to his birth mother that he had a condition called Down syndrome. After the doctors talked with the birth mother and explained the seriousness of his health issues, she decided that she could not care for him. It would have been easy for her to be prideful and say "no, I can handle it" but she made the SELFLESS SACRIFICE of saying goodbye to her precious son so he could have a better life. It brings tears to my eyes even now as I type this, thinking about the painful decision that she made out of love for her dear son. I wonder how hard this day must be for her and how she must miss him terribly. She left him a picture that says "for you my love" and though she is smiling in the picture, you can tell she'd been crying. She also left him some clothing and booties and we have these things hanging on Benji's wall in a shadow box. Benji prays for his birth family every night, saying "God bwess birf famfee" and then points to his birth mom's picture. It is very sweet. He also has a birth sister the same age as Emily. We are forever grateful to Benji's birth mother for the precious gift she has given us. We think of her daily and pray God gives her comfort today and the assurance that her birth son is happy, healthy and greatly loved. Happy Birthday Benji!! We love you son!!