My Sister Abandoned Her Baby With Me — Ten Years Later, My Parents Took Me to Court and Regretted It

“You too,” I replied. “You seem well.”

“I am,” she said. “I’ve been sober for seven years now. I completed rehab, got my degree in graphic design, and I’m married to a wonderful man named Thomas.”

She told me a story of recovery and redemption. After leaving Lily, she’d spiraled into drug addiction, living on the streets of San Diego before hitting rock bottom and checking into rehab. There she met Thomas, a counselor, and after maintaining sobriety, they’d eventually married.

“I wasn’t fit to be a mother,” she admitted. “I was using heavily during my pregnancy. When Lily seemed okay, I thought I could handle it. But the postpartum depression hit hard. The night I brought her to you, I’d been using for days. I knew I was going to hurt her if I kept her. Leaving her with you was the only good decision I made.”

I showed her photos on my phone—Lily’s first steps, first day of school, birthday parties, Halloween costumes. Amanda wiped tears.

“She’s beautiful,” she whispered. “You’ve done an amazing job, Natalie.”

My emotions were chaotic—anger at her abandonment mixed with cautious hope that perhaps Lily could have a relationship with her birth mother.

“I’d like to meet her,” Amanda said finally. “If you think that would be okay.”

After consultation with a child psychologist, I arranged the first meeting. I prepared Lily by explaining that my sister, her birth mother, had been very sick when Lily was a baby but was better now.

The meeting took place at a children’s museum. Lily was uncharacteristically shy, clinging to my hand as Amanda approached.

“Hello, Lily,” Amanda said softly. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”

“Hi,” Lily replied, half hiding behind me. “Nana says you’re her sister.”

“That’s right. And I’m also your birth mother, which means you grew in my tummy before you were born.”

Lily nodded solemnly. “But Nana is my real mom because she takes care of me and loves me and helps me with homework.”

Amanda’s eyes filled with tears, but she smiled bravely. “That’s absolutely right. You’re very lucky to have such a wonderful mom.”

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