In 1988 TJ was born to my cousin and her husband. We had helped prepare for the birth because TJ's mom was young and they didn't have a lot of money. The seemed appreciative at the time but they came to take advantage of our generosity. They would come to us on an almost daily basis to get money for diapers, formula, laundry soap and what not. It got to the point that we just started keeping those things on hand...
When TJ was about 6 months old we started keeping TJ from Sunday evening to Friday evening. We had a crib for him, high chair, walker, car seat and bathtub. It was like he was ours.
After the first of the year TJ's mom left his dad and left TJ behind. When his dad filed for custody I took it upon myself to apply for custody on my own. I couldn't imagine TJ being brought up in the environment that his dad would expose him to.
In a rare decision, I was awarded custody of TJ and I picked him up in August of 1999. He was mine...
He hasn't left my side since. I went from being called Sissy to Sissy Mommy to finally MOMMY. That is the most precious word I've ever heard. How blessed am I to have this amazing little boy in my life? He may test my nerves but he also showed me that I was capable of more love than I ever imagined.
He may not be my son by birth, by marriage or by blood but he is MINE...always, mine. And I wouldn't want it any other way.
