Christine Rhyner Christine Rhyner
And so it is, amidst the cake and presents, the party and focus on another year gone by for my child, my mind wanders. It always takes me back to that anonymous young woman who gave him life, then had to walk away. It's bittersweet because I know that another woman's pain--an unimaginable one to me--has brought me so much joy and blessing.
The reasons for her having left Lucas behind will always be unknown but I can guess at them. I know that she was young and unmarried. This could have been cause for her to feel shame, fear and even shunning from her family. Things are different in a country like Vietnam, especially if you are from a traditional family or don't have money or a man to marry you when you find you are pregnant. Maybe even if he is willing to marry you it's too late because everyone will know you conceived before you wed. And when they tried to find her, to get that required "double surrender" to place him for adoption, she could not be found. So we were told.
So as she comes to mind at the end of every January I think it only fitting to silently thank her, to pray for her and hope that she has moved on to a wonderful life over the years. And as technology continues to grow and Vietnam develops I also wonder if she will ever look up the public records that are available regarding his adoption. Should she ever want to contact her biological son, I think I could embrace that. I would love for her to know what a remarkable boy she gave birth to. I would also want my son to have the opportunity to know her, if that is something he would choose.
I, and my child are forever connected to two unknown people across the globe. That causes me to feel a deep sense of gratitude and a sadness too.
Christian Writers Conference Next Month!
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How Climate Change Extremism Sells Abortion (Part 2 of 2)
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Day of Mourning, Day of Shame
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God's Presence With Wings
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Our Sixty-Year Decline
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H.R. 1 Would Be A Bigger Test For The Church Than Covid Shutdowns {Part 2 of 2}
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Dangers of Love Growing Cold
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America, Land of Condemnation (Part Three)
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America, Land of Condemnation (Part Two)
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America, Land of Condemnation (Part One)
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Government's Desperate Need for Humility
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Is the Church Changing?
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What Are Our Values Anymore?
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The Final Frontier (Part Two)
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The Final Frontier (Part One)
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Soulmate
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The Colors of a Writer
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What's Not to Get About the Writing Life?
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Learning to Sing the Song of Winter
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Mom, the Fishstetrician
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The CONSTITUTION For President
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The Radicalization of Hillary and the Democrat Party (PART 2 OF 2)
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The Radicalization of Hillary and the Democrat Party (PART 1 OF 2)
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Why Ted Cruz NOW?
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Why is the GOP Committing Suicide?
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Dear Chicago
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Fractured Nation (1 of 2)
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Losing a Child is Like...
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What's So Wrong With Calling It "Gotcha Day!"
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Out With The Old
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Those Who Scoff at International Adoption
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Setting Aside Birth Story Facts for Truth
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Sneak Peak, "How much did you pay for her?"
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Blessing Through Adoption Pain
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Eight Ways Publishing Your Book is Like an Adoption Journey
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It's a Boy
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Thoughts of Her
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To My Son
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Rational Thinking?
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Minority Against Minority
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Happy Thanksgiving
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You ARE my mother?
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The Transracially Adopted Children's Bill of Rights and Some Thoughts
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Infertility Is...
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Will He Speak English?
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What's in a Name?
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An Adoptive Mom's Message to Those in the Healthcare and Education Professions
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Being Tested
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When We Are Weary
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A Fresh Start
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God Works Behind the Scenes
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Why Adoption Requires Forgiveness
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Dust Bunnies and Poo
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Forgiveness is Work
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