This story below is the winner of the 2013-2014 America & Me Essay Contest sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance. The essays for the 2013-2014 contest were based on the topic, "My Personal Michigan Hero."
My Personal Michigan Hero
Jacob Pasek
St. Brigid Catholic School
Midland
St. Brigid Catholic School
Midland
Maria was born in Detroit, Michigan. She was athletically talented, really tall, and had a great laugh. Maria worked at various jobs and had a hard time making ends meet. Maria struggled with her job and raising her son, Kyle. Maria became pregnant with me. She knew she had two choices; to end my life or to continue it. Even though she was having trouble with life’s obstacles, Maria chose life for me and I will always be thankful for her decision.
If it wasn’t for my birthmother Maria, I wouldn’t be here today. After giving birth to me, she put me in foster care for a while, but realized that she couldn’t care for me. She loved me so much, but she knew that love wouldn’t provide for my basic needs. That is why Maria is my hero. She right then and there, decided that adoption was the best idea for both of us. She thought of my needs over her needs. Maria’s decision to choose adoption positively affected my future. She worked with a pregnancy counselor to locate a family that she felt would not only provide, but love and cherish her child. Finally, she found a family that she felt would be the best family for her son. The family had the same interests she had: camping, fishing, and being outdoors. Maria called the pregnancy counselor and told them not to let any of the other birthmothers take this family.
In August 1999, Maria handed me over to Angela and Dave, and said, “Take good care of him.” It was a deep and touching moment for my parents and Maria. My parents took me home to a very excited brother who couldn’t wait to hold and play with me. I also came home to loving grandparents and welcoming aunts and uncles.
My parents wanted Maria to know that I was being well cared for so they kept in contact, by sharing pictures and letters. Maria was really busy, but we would go and see her and celebrate my birthday together. Life continued to move forward, but in November of 2008, life stopped for a moment. We received a call that Maria had died of a heart attack. It was really hard knowing that she was gone and there will be no more birthdays and Christmases to celebrate together. We attended her funeral and it was very beautiful. At the cemetery, a white dove was released; Maria would have liked that.
In Maria’s death, she gave me a new life. Even though she is still gone, I have her athletic gifts, her height, but most of all her contagious laugh. My family camps, goes fishing and enjoys the outdoors just like Maria hoped I would get to do. Maria’s choice of life and a better future for me is why she is My Personal Michigan Hero. I will never forget Maria and her great decision she made for me. Thank you, Maria.
In August 1999, Maria handed me over to Angela and Dave, and said, “Take good care of him.” It was a deep and touching moment for my parents and Maria. My parents took me home to a very excited brother who couldn’t wait to hold and play with me. I also came home to loving grandparents and welcoming aunts and uncles.
My parents wanted Maria to know that I was being well cared for so they kept in contact, by sharing pictures and letters. Maria was really busy, but we would go and see her and celebrate my birthday together. Life continued to move forward, but in November of 2008, life stopped for a moment. We received a call that Maria had died of a heart attack. It was really hard knowing that she was gone and there will be no more birthdays and Christmases to celebrate together. We attended her funeral and it was very beautiful. At the cemetery, a white dove was released; Maria would have liked that.
In Maria’s death, she gave me a new life. Even though she is still gone, I have her athletic gifts, her height, but most of all her contagious laugh. My family camps, goes fishing and enjoys the outdoors just like Maria hoped I would get to do. Maria’s choice of life and a better future for me is why she is My Personal Michigan Hero. I will never forget Maria and her great decision she made for me. Thank you, Maria.
