All my life, I knew I had been adopted — but at 25, I discovered my adoptive mother had lied, and the reason left me speechless.

My mother loved me so much that she gave up her life so I could live.

And Margaret—despite all her mistakes—honored that promise.

She raised me.

And in some way, despite everything… I’m grateful she stayed.

I think somewhere, wherever she is, Elise would be grateful too.