The Gift of Family: Samuel's Arrival

To my godson Samuel,

Do not listen to the rumors you hear. Trust your feelings about the love your parents have for you. As to the story of how you arrived home, let me be the one to share it as your mother shared to me. I know she tried many times to share you the story but you failed to listen to her, but you listen to others and hopefully that includes me your godmother.

Your mom and dad used to have a fruit stand in the nearby province that is open from 4am to 11pm daily. One early morning in 2006, a midwife who is a friend of theirs arrived knocking at their shop with a newborn baby wrapped in an old tattered shirt. That baby was you. Still bloody and with the umbilical cord freshly cut, it was your father and mother who first washed you and clothed you to the best they can in that wee hour of the morning.

Sorry my son, but the midwife who brought you home didn't know the whole name of the woman who gave birth to you. She was just called to help a woman in labor at that time and she only was told of the woman's nickname, Ka-Nene. You were a healthy boy, but the woman does not want to keep you so the old midwife brought you to the couple she knows who will be good parents to you.

Know that your biological mother loves you but couldn't keep you because she is part of a dangerous movement and living in constant danger. She does not have the capacity to take care of a baby by herself as she could barely support herself at the time. She loves you, be assured of that. She did not give you up early on by aborting you or leaving you at birth in the wild or in the sea. She preferred to let you see the world and be a blessing to others. She wanted a good future for you under the care of loving parents who would care and love you.

Yes, YOU ARE A BLESSING to your parents, be assured of that. They got married the second time in the church because of you, on the same day they had you baptized. They are very happy and you complete their family. 

I love you too my son, and you can always come to me for I will be here to help you anytime.

With all my love,
Godmother Isay