Legacy of an Adopted Child

A few days ago, my Mom sent me a newspaper clipping that was a reprint of a Dear Abby letter.  In it was a poem (author unknown) entitled, Legacy of An Adopted Child.  I read it and liked it.  Our children are at an age where they don't care much for poetry (and in truth I was never much one for poetry either, but it seems to grow on me as the years go by).  In any case, i thought I would share it here in the event that someone may find it who had never seen it before.  i will happily give credit where it is due if anyone ever discovers who the real author might be.

Legacy of an Adopted Child

Once there were two women

Who never knew each other.

One you do not remember,

The other you call mother.

Two different lives

Shaped to make yours one.

One became your guiding star.

The other became your sun.

The first gave you life

And the second taught you to live it.

The first gave you a need for love

And the second was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality,

The other gave you a name.

One gave you a seed of talent,

The other gave you an aim.

One gave you emotions,

The other calmed your fears.

One saw your first sweet smile,

The other dried your tears.

One gave you up--

It was all that she could do.

The other prayed for a child

And God led her straight to you.

And now you ask me

Through your tears,

The age-old question

Through the years;

Heredity or environment

Which are you the product of?

Neither, my darling -- neither,

Just two different kinds of love.