From the time of its conception, the little child was loved. Her mother received the news of her pregnancy with mixed emotions. For you see, in her conscience, the mother knew she would not be able to care and provide for this child. The mother had three other small children and no husband to help support them. They barely survived now. However, the mother loved this child growing inside her so abortion was not an option. The mother then decided that adoption was the answer for this child. For nine months she carried and loved the little life inside her. She suffered thru morning sickness, backaches, and all the other maladies associated with pregnancy, all the while knowing when the baby was born, she would be giving the child up for adoption. The day arrived and the mother gave birth to a bouncing baby girl. For a brief moment she held her daughter. Then she kissed the child good-bye and handed the little girl she had named Sandra Renee over to a child social worker. The mother knew she would most likely never see the child again.
The social worker then delivered the little girl into the arms of foster parents. The foster parents cared for the child, rocking her to sleep, enduring middle of the night feedings and tended to all her other needs. They did these things all the while knowing that soon the social worker would return to reclaim the child. Why did the foster parents do what they did? It is quite simple, really, for you see, the foster parents loved the little girl they had taken to calling Judy. The social worker soon returned and the foster parents kissed the infant girl good-bye, all the while knowing that most likely they would never see her again.
The social worker then delivered the little girl into the waiting arms of her adoptive parents. Adoptive parents who had a place in their heart for her and a lifetime of love to give and to share. And they named the little girl.......
Before I finish this story I would like to take a moment to do something I've done during most of my speeches here, and that is to quote the lyrics of a song that is special to me. This song is by the singer Celine Dion:
The adoptive parents took the little girl into their arms and into their life and they named her DEANNA LYNNE. Yes, if you haven't guessed by now, this is my story. I'd like to take the liberty to dedicate this speech to my birth mother Shirley.....for you Shirley.....I'm grateful for each day you gave me:
I would also like to dedicate it to my foster parents Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Brubaker of Willow Street:
And last but not least, I'd like to dedicate this speech to my adoptive parents...my REAL parents, Dave and Darlene King.
I'm sure if you're anything like my husband, you're getting pretty hungry by now and you are thinking, gee Deanna your life story is okay and all...but what does it have to do with us? Quite simply, it has everything to do with you. If it wouldn't be for you...the foster parents, the adoptive parents, the agency staff...I wouldn't be up here tonight. To put it even more bluntly, if my birth mother hadn't had the faith she had that there are folks like you out there, I simply may not EVEN BE today. I owe everything to you and all the folks like you. I will be eternally grateful and words will never express how I feel about you and all the other foster parents, adoptive parents, and child social workers that give it their all everyday FOR THE CHILDREN. To love a child, especially a child who is not yours, and to give them yourself and your love, to me that is the greatest love of all.
As I close, I want you to forget for a moment that I am Deanna Rupp, foster parent...I want you to forget that I a Deanna Rupp, FPA president. I want to simply come to you as Sandra Renee, as Judy, and as Deanna...adopted child and former foster child. And in that capacity I bring to you a message from all the adopted children and all the foster children whose lives you have touched. And that message is.......
We're everything we are because you loved us . . .Love given is love never forgotten
THANK YOU for your love and ................. we will NEVER forget!
Presented by Deanna Rupp
Lancaster County Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
10/24/96
Pennsylvania State Foster Parent Association Banquet
Grantville, Pennsylvania
10/14/97
Foster Parent Banquet
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May, 1998
Written by Deanna & Kevin Rupp
© 1996, Deanna & Kevin Rupp
Please do not copy or reproduce this piece without permission.
You can Email Kevin and Deanna by clicking HERE!
More Speeches presented by Deanna & Kevin!
Wind Beneath My Wings - 1993
When the Children Cry - 1994
Why Does the Caged Bird Sing? - 1995