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Continued from page 29 “oh, they are giving him to me naked, like when he was born, except now he is mine.” In that moment, their lives forever changed and Mikola became Carter and the love of his mother’s life. The process was arduous and agonizing, uncertain and stressful, often leaving them dazed. Deb related that that the whole process “felt like giving birth.” Within four weeks, they were finally able to bring their son home to Scugog, where a large baby shower awaited them. “Carter was natural, friendly, smiling and he even looked like us,” says Deb. There has never been a ‘secret’ about Carter’s origin. As he grew and began school, he began to question his mom about “growing in her tummy.” Deb has always maintained a simple and honest ap- proach to these inevitable questions. “We looked all over the world for you” and that he was theirs and that he was loved more than anything in the whole, wide world. Deb kept a detailed journal of their adoption journey, complete with photos, which has helped Carter put the pieces together and answer some of the questions that arise from time to time. The Wards are thankful to raise their son in a town- ship as beautiful as Scugog and wouldn’t live anywhere else. “The people here are wonderful, focusing on happi- ness and peace, not things, not money. The surroundings are beautiful. We like to make so much from scratch and offer Carter so much, it’s perfect for us here”. The message Deb and Larry want to share is a simple one. Their life has changed completely, their priorities have changed dramatically and their story shares a mes- sage of hope for other childless couples. Adopted children should feel wanted and special, not discarded or different. Carter was born in her heart and he need not ever question the depth of his parents love or dedication. Be- coming parents taught them more about themselves and the world; taught them a patience and love they never knew existed and a happiness one cannot describe. There are few places as perfect as Scugog to raise children, and through this amazing story we all can be re- minded how blessed we are to have children in our lives. By Tammy Horvath Special to Focus on Scugog ' Mattress) |~=6COUTLET | _ Limited Edition 5” Ultra Pillow Top QUEEN $450. plo] 0] 21m =mr- elon TWIN $350. 180 Casimir St., Port Perry 905-985-6023 __) Larry i imagine their lives without their son Carter, who they adopted six years ago in the Ukraine. Photo by J. Peter Hvidsten (-NAPOLEON-) FOCUS - OCTOBER 2009 33