A Letter From Abigail's Mom

On April 5, 1995, I met Rudy Rivera for the first time. I was 33 years old and single and had made the decision to adopt a baby from a foreign country. I had spoken to several different adoption agencies in many states. I actually had an appointment to sign up with one on the day I met Rudy. I called Rudy early in the morning of April 5th, after having gotten his name through another lawyer who also was going through Rudy. I got an appointment with him at 11:00 and had an appointment with the other adoption agency at 1:00. I was quite frazzled because for my second appointment I was supposed to bring many forms with me and then needed to get them notarized. These forms were nothing I'd ever heard of......INS, Child Abuse, etc. I had to run around to several places to even get them, then try and get them notarized, all before I ever even had the appointment.

At 11:00 I went to Rudy's for my appointment. To this day, I remember it clearly. My first words to him were "I want a baby girl" and "I'm all by myself, I work 60 hours a week, don't know what I am doing, so I want somebody else to take care of me. I want somebody else to worry about the paperwork and signatures and notaries, the dealings with the adoption agency". Right away Rudy said, "You'll get a baby girl and I can help". After wanting a child all my life, these words were blessings to my ears.

After talking more with Rudy and finding out all the details of how he handles all the paperwork and contacts the right people I realized I had someone, a real person I could talk to and would take care of things for me so I could concentrate on getting ready for my baby girl.

I immediately felt a bond with Rudy. I looked straight in his eyes and said , "I trust you. Sign me up". I contacted the other adoption agency and canceled my appointment. Call it blind faith, call it a mothers intuition, call it what ever you like, but it felt right.

Right away Rudy gave me a short list of items that I would need to provide i.e.: a physical, home study (with a name to call), and more importantly he gave me a list of people's names that were also going through him.

I went home and called every one on the list. Some had already gotten their children. Some were still waiting. Everyone was willing and happy to share their stories. They were all fulfilling their desire of becoming parents. I learned from them that Rudy holds get-togethers so that all the families can meet and get to know each other. I attended a get together and met many wonderful people.

Through the entire process, I talked to Rudy. He would call me all the time and fill me in on what was going on, but more importantly he called me just to make sure that I was okay. Waiting for your child is hard. But, he was always there to keep my spirits high.

I waited longer than most people for a little girl-----there were 17 boys born in a row. On October 18, 1995 at 11:00pm Rudy called and told me that I was the mother of a little girl born May 27, 1995. That moment changed my life.

I met Abigail Alejandra Weinrich on March 2, 1996 in Guatemala City. She is the joy of my life. She is beautiful, smart, healthy, loving and most of all my sweet baby girl. Before she came to live with me, she lived with a foster family in Guatemala. We still keep in contact with them. She calls Rudy Rivera, Uncle Rudy, because he is her Godfather----and a proud one too! Her best friend is my best friend Nancy's daughter. Lindsey is from Guatemala also. She also has friends who are named Rachel , Anna, Josh, Jeremy, Jeffrey, A.J., Elly, Matt, Jackson and Piper. They are also "Rudy's Kids", which we affectionately call our team of kids because Rudy was the one who helped us fulfill our dreams. We had a get-together this summer for "Rudy's kids". There were about 20 there, running around, smiling and laughing with a lot of proud mommies and daddies. Rudy was there too......looking every bit the proud Uncle. I can see he has a special place in his heart for my Abby. And for all the kids. We have a special place in our heart for him too.

Abigail's Mom