That special connection...

Twenty-nine years ago a young lady made a decision in her life that affected my life in a permanent and special way. I'm sure it was the most difficult decision of her life; one that has caused her to shed more tears than she can count. That woman is my youngest brother's birth mom. Jeff came to our family in a unique way. I believe it was planned out before the world began- so it was no surprise to God- but it wasn't totally unexpected in the lives of my parents and us as his brothers and sisters back in 1977.
My dad had recently sold a farm and given up his life as a dairy farmer in order to go to college and pursue a degree to do ministry- specifically as a church minister. My mom stayed home with my siblings and I- there were four of us ages 2-8. Needless to say, we had a very busy household and a full life. Or so we thought.
A simple phonecall to my mom in the middle of the day changed all that. The man on the phone asked if she would be home that night because a baby would be dropped off at our doorstep. My mom laughed, but went along with what she thought seemed to be a prank, and much to our surprise, in the middle of an April thunderstorm, late into the night there was a knock at the door and a man handed over a baby to my dad. He gave him a slip of paper and told him to contact by phone the lawyer written that note. That was it. My dad didn't ask questions.
Imagine the surprise and delight in our home when me and my sisters and brother woke to find a new baby in our house. I remember all the questions we had... "Where did he come from? Are we gonna keep him? What should we call him? Where did he come from again? I didn't know we were gonna have a baby!"
I was four years old at the time. I was so in love with babies and puppies and anything small and cuddly at that age. I "claimed him" as mine. My mom told us he may not stay with us forever, that his other mommy might come back and take him back to her home. She found me sleeping on the floor in front of his makeshift bed that second night he was with us. When she woke me to take me back to my bed she asked, "Jody, what are you doing sleeping here on the floor?" I matter-of-factly replied, "If his mom is going take him back she's gonna have to step on me first!"
Thankfully Jeff stayed in our home and lives for good. He has been a part of our family since he was five days old, although his adoption wasn't complete until he was 11 months old. I have always felt a special connection with my brother Jeff. He and I have shared a bond as brother and sister that isn't always typical. We never had the spats and fights and rivalry that a lot of brother/sister relationships have. We have laughed and goofed around and been good buds since day one.
This past fall Jeff married his beautiful wife, Marci and they have two wonderful kids, Rachel and Owen. Jeff's life has had its share of struggles, as well as joy and moments he has accomplished so much! I am proud to this day, to say that he is my brother. I couldn't imagine my life without him in it- he has added a dimension that although it wasn't planned or decided by my parents, has added much happiness to all our lives the past 29 years.
Today I say thank you to his birth mother, Robin, and I hope she knows deep in her heart that she gave us a gift we cannot put a price tag on. To Jeff, I say "Happy Birthday." I believe in fate and purpose and I'm so glad that God put you in our lives in a very special way. Best wishes for another year of happiness and joy! All my love, Girl.