I am so thankful for my sister Nancy Jane. She turned 50 this September. She has been my sister for all but 7 weeks of those years.
Baby Nancy and Maribeth, 1969
I was the joy and delight of my parents, Levi and Evie. After experiencing a stillbirth before my arrival and then several more miscarriages after my birth, I received the full measure of love from Mom and Dad. Thinking of me perhaps more than themselves, they inquired about adoption from neighbors who had two adopted children of their own. Within several short months, they received a bundle of joy as a sister for little Maribeth.
“I have no memories of being an only child. And no real memories of the day they brought Nancy home to live with us. It seems I have always had a sister to love, to fight with, to play with and to enjoy life together.”
Nancy and Maribeth
I do vividly remember one summer afternoon sitting in our apple tree in the back yard, and Nancy musing about where she came from, who she belonged to. It was very clear just looking at us that she was different; she was blonde and I was brunette! She wanted to have someone to look like or who looked like her. I remember the joy she had at the birth of her firstborn for that reason.
As God has grown me, matured me, and also called me to be a voice for life, there are certain things that have become clearer and dearer to me. Firstly, I am so thankful that her mom choose life for her and chose to place her for adoption. Her birth parents were young and unmarried. Had that choice of adoption not been made, I might not have a sister. Secondly, in 1969, the year of her birth, the Criminal Code was amended in Canada to permit abortions in hospitals if the life of the mother was in jeopardy. (Several years later when my parents thought perhaps they could adopt a healthy boy as well, they were told that they should be thankful they had two girls! I wonder if babies became fewer in number…). In addition, I am thankful for the sacrifices my parents made to welcome Nancy into our home to love, to train and to bless her with all the rights and privileges of a daughter. I might have been an only child. I wouldn’t have been blessed with two nieces and their families.
Mary (Maribeth) Loewen, with mom, Evelyn Troyer, and sister, Nancy Mena-Pilon
Mary with sister, Nancy
It has been a blessing for Nancy to have come in contact with her birth father, his elderly mom and her half-brothers. While our mom and I live thousands of kilometres from Nancy and her family, she is regularly able to spend special moments, holidays and events together with family.
Adoption has been a beautiful way for our family to be blessed and in turn given Nancy a place to come to know Jesus as her Saviour as well as experience a forever family who loves her and can’t imagine life without her!
Adoption may be a great option for a mother and her baby if she finds herself financially, emotionally or otherwise unable to parent. If you are considering adoption, we would love to walk alongside you as you try to make this difficult decision. We can also help you make a birth plan for your child and sort through your emotions.
Adoption is a loving parenting choice, but it also involves a grief journey. If you are a birth mother who has placed a child for adoption, we offer you ongoing support - a safe place to process and grieve.
Mary (Maribeth) Loewen is wife to Glenn Loewen, senior pastor of the Portage Evangelical Church and mother to two sons, two daughters, and a daughter-in-law. God has given Mary an incredible heart for the ministry here at Prairie Pregnancy Support Centre. She was an integral part of PPSC’s beginnings and has served as the Executive Director since 2017.