A father who has lost his family tries to adopt a small child with Down syndrome who no one wants. Years later, he receives unexpected news from a lawyer.

David Wallace walked up and down the hospital waiting room uncomfortably. “Calm down, Dave!” shouted his brother Jack. You’d think no one has ever had a kid!”

David laughed. “I know,” he admitted. “I’m so nervous!” “I’ve always wanted to have a child!”

Jack smiled and patted his younger brother on the back. “Get ready to become a dad, my man!” The doctor then entered and made his way to David. Something in his gaze stopped all laughter, and David simply knew.

He didn’t even cry, but his knees simply crumpled as he attempted to take a step. A sobbing Jack had to carry his brother home as if he were a kid.

After Rita and their baby had been buried and everyone except Dave appeared ready to forget, he awoke to a quiet home. He moved his hand to Rita’s side of the bed. Empty.

Parents will make the most difficult choices for the sake of their children.
He stood up and proceeded down the hallway to the nursery, where he switched on the lovely nightlight that sent soft pastel stars up into the ceiling. He and Rita had adorned the chamber with both anguish and aspirations. It has all gone.

Dave sobbed as he sat in the rocking chair Rita insisted on having. His heart and home were empty, and his hopes had vanished. He wanted to rip the nursery apart and fill that need.

A notion suddenly entered his head. “You can’t fill a hole with anger, only with love.” Who said it? Dave was perplexed. That was something he’d heard somewhere, sometime. Maybe that notion will save his life now.

Dave inquired with social services about adopting or fostering a child. The social worker was initially apprehensive. “We usually don’t give children to single parents,” she said. “Though it IS becoming more common.”

“I have a good life,” Dave said. “I have a lot of love to give a child.” My wife and I have always wanted to be parents, and I want to make that a reality.”

The social worker took out a file that was covered with colorful stickers. “Would you consider taking in a special needs child?” she inquired.

Dave shook his head. “All children are special, and they all have different needs,” he remarked calmly. “We never know what God has in store for us. I’ll take the youngster who needs my assistance.”

Of course, Dave had to go through a number of interviews and parenting classes before the big day arrived. They informed him that he had a son.

“We have a little boy who has been through three different foster families,” said the social worker. “Hi, my name is Sam, and he’s two years old.” He was born with Down syndrome.

“Where is he?” Dave inquired.

“Sam has some health issues you should be aware of,” stated the social worker.

“I’ll take him to the pediatrician,” Dave said. “Whatever he needs, he’ll get.”

It was love at first sight for Dave when he spotted Sam. Sam was the most adorable infant he’d ever seen!

Sam was timid at first, but as he learned how much Dave loved him and how caring he was, he gradually came out of his shell. Dave could not comprehend how anyone could refuse such a cute child!

Of course, Sam took a bit longer to achieve his milestones, and the doctor warned them to keep an eye on his heart, but he was beautiful in practically every aspect!

The highlight of Dave’s day was when he picked up Sam from daycare and his little kid raced to him, arms wide open. Dave’s heart would swell with love as he swung Sam up high and tickled his chubby little tummy.

“Rita,” he’d say to his late wife as he watched Sam sleep. “I fulfilled our dream, and I filled the void you and our baby left in my life with love.”

As the years passed, Sam developed at the same rate as any other youngster. His heart was OK, according to the doctor. He was a cheerful, outgoing young man who made friends with everyone he encountered. Nobody could stand up to Sam and his cheerful smile!

The phone was constantly ringing with invites to sleepovers and playdates, and Dave was struggling to keep up with Sam’s hectic social schedule!

When Sam reached twelve, he began to want to go out with his friends on his own, like the big guy he was. It wasn’t easy for Dave, but he learned, like any other father, to give his kids room.

Then he got a phone call from a lawyer one day. “Mr. Wallace,” the guy introduced himself. “I’m calling on behalf of your adoptive son’s biological mother.”

“What exactly do you want?” Dave inquired harshly.

“I’d like to speak with you,” the lawyer said.

“I’m not interested,” Dave said flatly. “Those folks deserted my kid. Nothing you could say would interest me.”

“Please, Mr. Wallace,” said the lawyer. “For Sam’s sake.”

Dave reluctantly agreed to meet with the lawyer. The guy gave Dave a letter as soon as he arrived. “This will explain everything so much better than I ever could, Mr. Wallace,” he said.

“Dear Mr. Wallce, if you are reading this, I am finally at rest with my beloved wife,” Dave said as he opened the package. I appreciate you loving and caring for my beautiful Sam.

“We knew Sam had Down syndrome before he was born, and it didn’t matter to us.” We greeted him with delight. We had hoped for many long and happy years as a family, but it was not to be.

“When Sam was three months old, he was admitted to the hospital for examinations. My wife, Emily, and I were driving to the hospital to pick him up when we were struck by a vehicle.

“Emily died instantly, but I survived as a quadriplegic.” I’ve been a dead man who still breathed, wept, and hated God for the last twelve years.

“I was not the kind of father Sam deserved.” I wanted the best for my baby, so I put him up for adoption. Mr. Wallace, I was correct because you took in my son and have been the finest parent.

“I want you to be able to tell Sam one day that his birth parents loved and wanted him.” I never want my son to believe we abandoned him.

“Please inform him! My lawyer will provide you with the paperwork for Sam’s trust money, which you will hold. Mr. Wallace, thank you one more time for loving my Sam and being the parent I should have been.”

The lawyer granted Dave access to Sam’s trust fund, which totaled $1.2 million, money he promised would safeguard his son’s future, just as his biological father had planned.

Dave wondered whether the family who had rejected Sam would have refused the money if they had known it existed! Sam’s biological father had been wise to conceal his wealth so that his son might be loved for himself.