What would you do to provide for your children? How far would you go? What personal sacrifices would you make in order to secure your child's future? I'm sure those questions, among a myriad of others, are swirling through the mind of a mother in India.

A news story was posted on New Dehli Television's website (NDTV.com) this past weekend gives a glimpse into the mental and emotional horror that accompany such a decision. While light on the emotional side as journalists often shy away from such a thing, you can almost hear the pain in her words.

''I had no option but to take this extreme step. Nobody wants to send their children away but I have no choice. They should go to a good family,'' said Anju, Mother.

What has lead this mother to such an extreme? Her husband committed suicide. While I don't quite understand Indian law, the mother's in-laws filed some kind of suit against her which landed her in jail along with her parents and the two daughters in question. I won't pretend to understand the customs and laws of other societies but neither my mind nor my heart want want to understand a society that imprisons children after their father's suicide.

While one comment on the news post was from someone wanting to adopt the children, other comments begged for information on how to financially help and support this woman so that her family remained intact. My heart swelled. Somewhere, some people get that families do not have to be separated simply because of financial hardship. Some words were moving.

Indeed a touching story....she should not be parting with her daughters. I am sure a lot of people would come forward to help the mother. Let them stay with their mother. A lot of people I am sure must be willing to help them financially. Someone can sponsor the daughter's education, so the family would not have to at least worry about their education.

Of course, and needed, one commenter was the voice of reality and reason in the face of such sadness.

Its the sad truth of life that money has become the most important thing to survive in this vile world. But I think more than money, this lady needs support in terms of confidence to start some sort of a vocation like tailoring etc. Help her realize her skills and put them to use. Sorry to say, but charity will only make her a beggar and help just temporarily. How can people help in supporting her all her life?

But how will she get on her feet if no one steps to the plate and offers that initial help? The initial shove in the right direction? I agree. If you give a man a fish, he will eat for just tonight but if you teach a man to fish, he can eat forever. (Unless you live in a place with no water or fish. Ah, dilemmas.) If you take the two quoted sentiments and place them together, you get a pretty decent plan for keeping this family together. Donated funds could be used to keep mother and children in a safe place with provided food while the mother gets a shop set up and gets her business feet under her.

I don't really have the answers. I know very little about India and their culture. I know nothing about the cost of living or how single, working mothers and their children are treated. But I do know that a world away, a mother is dealing with the most painful, heart-wrenching decision of her life: whether or not she can continue parenting her own children. I don't have answers for the financial aspect of things. But I do have a compassionate heart and some sympathy for her plight.

I can't guarantee we'll ever know the outcome on this one so I will just pray that it turns out in the best interest for all involved. My heart goes out to this mother and her children. I hope, against all hope, that this mom does not join the sisterhood of adoption and yet I hope, against all hope, that those children are going to be safe. Loved? Always.

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For more, read:

1. Japanese Baby Hatch.

2. Adoption in the News in the Netherlands.

3. Birthmothers Around the World: A Look at Korea.

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Photo Credit: Ajay Singh.