By Nick Mandel, grade 7, Shrine Catholic Academy, Royal Oak
‘Life is a Gift’ student contest winner: Prose Division One (Grades 4-8)
I am here today because my birthmother chose not to abort me. Thirteen years ago in South Korea my birthmother became pregnant with me. She was young, unmarried and very frightened. Korea is a paternal society and children get not only their name but their standing in society from their father. My birthmother loved me very much and she knew that since she was not married to my birthfather, I would not have the good and prosperous life that she wanted for me.
I am so lucky and pleased that my birthmother chose life for me. She loved me so much she gave me up for adoption. I often pray for my birthmother. Her difficult decision allowed me to be adopted into my forever family. I have been with my family since I was five and a half months old. My mom, dad and brother are the only family that I know and I love them very much.
My parents often say that they cannot imagine life without me. They say that I have been a tremendous blessing to them and that I have taught them many things. I believe that every child God creates should be allowed to be born, because God cannot imagine a world without each of his children in it. God creates each child to be a blessing and each child has a lesson to teach. I hope and pray that people of faith strongly stand up for the right of every child to be born.
Nick was presented with an award certificate at the Life is a Gift Conference on Jan. 22, 2011. More Information: http://www.aodonline.org/LifeisaGift
