Browsing in a local bookstore recently, I came across a small book by country singer, Lee Ann Womack called, "I hope you dance." This little gem of a book is based on her song of the same name. Listen here. It is slow loading, but worth it! Listening to the words of this song make me think of all that I wanted for my son Chris.

Some people seem so blasé about life, not truly enjoying it or being awed by nature and all the miraculous offerings. I hoped that the son that I relinquished would enjoy and appreciate his life. That was the whole point after all; I wanted him to have the best possible life. Seeing this book reminded me that he does live life to the fullest.

Like me, he is not inclined to sit back and let life go by. He is even more of a risk taker than I am. When I went to visit him for the first time, he showed me photos that he had taken in many of the countries he's visited. I keep thinking of one particular photo I loved of a little boy in Cuba with an incredibly expressive face.

Lyrics in this song mention the option of "sitting out or dancing." Given the option, of sitting out or dancing, I nearly always danced, and wished that for my son as well. To know that he appreciates and enjoys his life gives me much joy.

Like many birth moms, I have sometimes wondered what my son would have been like had I raised him. However, I have reached the conclusion that it is unlikely he would have been much different. There is no way to know. Although I did not raise him, he was raised by a mother whose values were similar to mine. He is a warm, sensitive, funny and caring young man - just like my other son.

Just as I hoped that given the chance my son would always choose to dance, I guess he wants me to dance too. Those dance lessons he gave me for Christmas are still waiting - I will sign up soon!