Finally he looked away from his notes straight at the audience and began.

“I’ve always wondered if my biological parents think about me. And I guess, maybe, it bothers me when people know that I am adopted. But it really shouldn’t bother me. No matter the circumstances, I now have a family that chose to adopt me and loves me. And yet for some reason, I struggle to be content with that.”

Melissa spoke to the computer. “I think of you every day.”

David continued. “I guess maybe I didn’t want to feel different or less valued. But I think a lot of those thoughts are only in my head and aren’t actually reality. And when I step back and look at my life from a wider perspective, I see how much of a gift my parents are to me and that adoption has brought us together in a unique and beautiful way.”

Melissa closed her eyes and tried to hold back the emotion but she couldn’t. And she decided she didn’t want to.

“Because,” David said, “I’m absolutely sure that their lives would be a lot more boring without me around.”

The audience laughed and so did Melissa. She couldn’t believe she was watching her son speak to so many people.

“So the more I live my life,” David said, “I believe that there’s really no reason to feel different. We don’t all take the same path. But I’m thankful for the family God’s given me.

“When I think of my family, I think of home. And I wouldn’t trade that for the world. Thank you.”

Melissa put her head in her hands and tears streamed through her fingers. To see him—to actually hear his voice and watch him speak—touched her so deeply. But to hear him talk about his family made an even deeper impression.

The livestream continued with an award. The first place winner was a girl. Melissa couldn’t imagine any better speech than the one David had given. Then the man moved to the lectern again.

“I may have read this in the wrong order. This year’s runner-up, and a check for $250, goes to David Colton.”

Melissa covered her mouth with both hands and squealed with delight. David shook the man’s hand and took the check from him.

Melissa was so engrossed in what she saw on the screen that she didn’t realize Courtney had come in and was standing behind the couch, looking at the computer screen.

“Who is that, Mom?”

Melissa turned, startled. She closed the laptop quickly. “Oh, it’s a livestream of a school speech competition.”

“Who was that David guy? Do you know him?”

Melissa sighed heavily. “Sit down, Corty. I have something I need to tell you.”

CHAPTER 24