To be honest, I didn't care what issues the child I was given had. I knew that I would do my level best to address them, one day at a time. I was so thrilled to have a child at all after infertility and waiting for years for a child to adopt, I didn't care what color, nation, or creed the child was or what he or she had. I was a parent. I had been granted the opportunity to become a parent, and I basked in the pure joy of it! I wouldn't have given that child up for all the world. Still wouldn't. Because I am a parent, I have learned what a selfish spoiled daughter I was. Because I am a parent, I have made new friends who have heart to replace the old shallow ones. Because I am a parent, I value every moment I get to share with these sweet souls. Because I am a parent, I strive to be someone they want to emulate. Because I am a parent, I know peace, joy, and great pain. I am more alive in every minute because of the responsibility of parenthood. It makes me become MORE of who I should be, and for that promise, I thank GOD every night.