When this blog was started, I was full of hope. I was totally confident that I had found not just a good facilitator, but a friend, in Kim Waters Hendrix of
Complete Surrogacy Solutions. I believed that
International Fertility Centre was a clinic that I could trust not only with the lives of my children, but with the life of my surrogate. I imagined a 100th blog entry which showed our joyful family, complete at last.
Mother's Day is approaching quickly and I wish I could say that I was excited. I am happy to celebrate the relationship I have with my beautiful children. At the same time, I can't forget the fact that Johnny never got to feel his mother's arms around him. He never got to hear me say, "I love you." I never got to tell him how very much he was wanted and loved.
While I know that Mother's Day will always be a painful and complicated day for me, I am profoundly grateful to the many people who have helped me get through the last six months. I can honestly say I don't know how I would have managed without you.
•Zachary, Alexander, Clarity, Quinn and Maizy, you have made me the person I am and give me a thousand reasons to get out of bed each day.
•The US surrogacy community on Facebook has been an incredible source of support and strength. Initially, I was very afraid of speaking out about our experience. I was terrified that people would say that we deserved what happened to Johnny because we chose an international journey. Instead, our family has been embraced with open arms and surrounded with support and love. I cannot describe how grateful I am for that compassion and understanding.
•Stephanie and Jennifer, you have listened to me rage and comforted me when I was almost incapacitated with grief. I wish that the thing that brought us together had never happened to any of us. However, I could not ask for stronger or more compassionate women to walk this difficult path with me.
•To Mrs. S., wherever you are, I am celebrating with my daughter this year because of you.
•To all the IPs who could have stayed silent and allowed our family to be attacked and slandered, thank you for your courage, your integrity and your compassion. It has meant the world.
