Adoption---Is That Something Bad?

Backers Creek Hollow

Adoption is the Greatest Gift of Love

It was 1911 in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, outside the icy winds howled as they blew through Backers Creek Hollow, sending chilled puffs of air between the tiny cracks of the old wood church. Their only warmth was an old wood stove that acted as a heater, which furnished warmth for all the mothers with babies who sat on the front rows. Blankets were spread on the wood benches, to make it more comfortable for all.

After the congregation sang its last song, Preacher Miles called for any announcements, and Brother Sampson stood up. However, he did not speak until Preacher Miles knotted his approval to do so.

Then Brother Sampson told them what the preacher in Sandy Hill Gap had Informed him about yesterday. He said that a train was bringing two children from New York for adoption; and the two little girls were six years old. And Brother Sampson said that the children would be brought to the choir practice on Wednesday, to Backers Creek Hollow.

“Mama,” asked Little Billy Sands, “Adoption—is that something bad?” His mama said for him to be quiet in church. So he would wait for his answer later.

Well, that was the best news Becky Sue had heard since forever, now maybe she would have a sister. And she was sure her daddy would get her anything she wanted; after all she was eight years old, and almost a full grown lady. Because her Mimi said so herself, and her Mimi was always right.

Everyone, was buzzing about this for sure, and was wondering who would want more children, or better yet, who could afford more children. Now, this conversation went on for the next few days, wherever, any two women met to talk. All up and down the hollows it was carried, to all the neighbors, friends or foes in the Great Smoky Mountains. Why bring more children to the poorest of people, the mountain people, no one knew the answer, only God knew—that was their only answer.

By Wednesday, the weather was not accommodating to the people of Backers Creek Hollow’s plans, as the icy wind sent the swirling snowflakes and snow flurries throughout the mountain sides. Sometimes, it was difficult to see ones way around the Hollow. The snowy weather was not omitting any Gap or Hollow, everyone, was being blessed the same.

As the snow piled higher than normal, outside the humble homes, their occupants had prepared as best they could. Papers and old rags were stuck into the cracks and cardboards were nailed over them, as their fireplaces blazed with Hickory, Oak and White Ash, which was plentiful in the mountains.

Inside the homes there was an abundance of warmth from the fireplaces and from their hearts. These were good people, and since being poor was not a sin, they were also, very proud.

The congregation finally all arrived at five O’clock in the afternoon, the darkness was coming too fast, because of the bad stormy weather. So the church women lit candles at the altar and put lit candles in the crude wooden sconces on the walls around the inside of the church.

Everyone, was talking quietly, until the big double doors opened, and the wind blew in the flurries of snow in front of the guest and behind them.

The two children looked frozen and scared to death, and but not the man with them. Who was introduced to everyone as Mr. Finworth, secretary to the Tennessee Adoption Agency. One could tell that he felt very important as he walked into the church like a banny rooster with his chest stuck out, so full of himself--because he was doing a great service for these poor backwoods people.

He was a small shrimp of a man, and his manner was borderline rude. He went straight to the front of the church and shoved the little girls ahead of him. He stopped and turned around and proceeded to give his little speech, as he told the little girls to --stand up straight and look ahead--- so the people could see them.

The little girls had on ill-fitting shoes, and hand me downs that were too big for them. And their coats had holes in the elbows, and both coats had missing buttons and pockets. And their red hair was long and uncombed. But through all the rags and dirt one could see they were very beautiful children.

Well, now this did not sit well with Becky Sue, but she listen quietly for a while, literally biting her tongue so she would not speak out. She kept inching her body to the edge of her seat really to bounce at a second’s notice.

Mr. Finworth said, “These children are here for adoption purposes, and as you can see they are twins. Do you people know what the word twins mean?” he continued, “They were born the same time, one after the other. (No one in the congregation said anything) Fine, I will carry on.”

Becky Sue stood up, and said, “Mr. Finworth, I am eight years old, and I know what twins are, we are poor, but not illiterate.” Then she smiled her lady like smile and returned to the edge of the bench.

Preacher Miles looked at his wife and then his daughter, and smiled—two peas in a pod—yes, he was one lucky man. His wife and Becky Sue would keep any man on their toes, and he was happy that he was that man; he loved his strong outspoken ladies.

Then Mr. Finworth made a grave mistake, he bellowed out, “Well, I am standing here waiting for someone who wants to adopt these girls to say something.”

And then the twins started crying. That was all she wrote, the man had dug his grave right there in church. Before anyone could say a word, Becky Sue had kicked Mr. Finworth in the shins of both legs, one for each twin she later said to her friends in the Hollow.

“Daddy, this Mr. Finworth has not told us anything about the twin, he has only made them cry and made me mad here in church.” The twins had stopped crying, and their big blue eyes were turned on Becky Sue, their hero.

Becky Sue rolled her big green eyes, as she put a red ribbon back in her long black hair that had fallen out during Mr. Finworth’s introduction of her foot.

Mr. Finworth made a movement towards Becky Sue, and Preacher Miles stood in front of his daughter, shielding her from him. He whispered low to Mr. Finworth,“Sir, if you want to be able to walk out of this church you will conduct yourself as a gentleman and I will be writing the Agency, about how you treat children.”

And after saying this—Preacher Miles pocked him in the chest with his finger several times making him back up into the coldest corner of the room.

Mr. Finworth backed down as the Preacher was a tall man with muscle to back up his words.

Preacher Miles asked Mr. Finworth if he could tell them anything about the twins and their background. And Mr. Finworth said in a superior tone, “Their names are biblical, because one is named Ruth and the other one is named Esther and their last name is not known to us, and the twins do not know it, either.

They were brought to the orphanage by their grandmother who was very ill when they were two years old. Their parents died in an accident, and that is all we know. So, if anyone will come forth to adopt them I will be able to signed the papers with two witnesses.”

Becky Sue stood up with her hands on her hips and said, “No body had better raise their hand, or stand up--- because Daddy, I want them--- these are my sisters.” And before the word sisters were completely out of her mouth—the twins ran to their new older sister and hugged her and would not let go.

So the three children stood in front of the altar, with arms wrapped around each other, and Preacher Miles and his wife Margaret joined them. Yes, in a matter of minutes their family had grown from a miracle, which had spread its love over the Miles family, and the congregation.

All the children of the congregation went up front to welcome Becky Sue’s new sisters.

Becky Sue was already planning on what clothes she was giving them,because unlike so many of the children of the Hollow, she was blessed with her Mimi, who gave her lots of clothes and everything else. And she always shared with the other children. She believed in sharing if you can, because her Papa said in his sermons that it is better to give than receive, and truthfully Becky Sue liked both.

And that was the same logic she used when she kicked Mr. Finworth in his shins. She felt he deserved her gift of those kicks, to make him a better person, and if that didn’t do it, well; she left those lessons to a higher teacher.

Becky Sue would teach her new sisters about being strong ladies. And how not to let rude people intimidate them. She would make sure her sisters were educated, and had a good life, yes, she now had responsibilities above and beyond herself, however, she was not aware that she would become a better person herself, by giving of herself.

Little Billy Sands asked his mother as they walked out of church, “Mama, adoption--is that something bad?” “No, that is something good. Becky Sue’s parents chose the twins to love, and that is very special. Tonight, Billy, I believe Jesus is smiling down on this little church in our Hollow, because he is please about the adoption.”

“But Mama, it was Becky Sue who really adopted them, wasn’t is?” His mama smiled and put her arm around him as they went out the door in the freezing night.