My mom, mother and friend

I'd like to tell you about my mom. She's pretty amazing, and if you don't know her, you should. Why do I feel so grateful? I'll tell you.

All through my childhood I heard people talk about the almost supernatural connection mothers have with their children after giving birth, a connection only a mother who has given birth could know. I was jealous, spiteful and felt completely inadequate, as if I had cheated my mom out of a bond that only biological children could have with their mothers.

In more recent years I have learned that the connection may be real, but my connection with my mother goes far beyond the umbilical cord. My mother and I are connected through something far more amazing, something that has carried on throughout my life: God.

My mother always calls when I need her most and can't reach out myself, when I'm depressed, sad or in need of love. She calls in my darkest moments and always says, "I just had this feeling I needed to call you." I call that a God consciousness. That connection is so strong that I no longer feel a child needs to be born to a mother to be connected to her.

My mother has saved my life. Adoption was the first time, and many more times since.

She is also the most amazing woman I have ever met. She has struggled with issues of her own but always makes time for those she loves: her sister, her husband, her family, her brothers and her friends. She has faced hardships but always stays close to her belief in God. Our ideas of God may not be the same, but I know her God and my God must be pretty good friends, because they keep the connection between us strong.

I know this may sound a little off the deep end, but I just wanted to share how much I love my mother. She's the best mom I could ever have been given, and I thank God for someone as fantastic as her.

If you're reading this, Mom: I love you and always will.

Wade