DEAR ABBY: I support your advice to the young mother considering relinquishing her child for adoption, and I vehemently chastise the woman who disagreed with you, stating that the young woman would deeply regret giving her child away.
The young mother's possible future regrets are not the most important issue because they are not in the best interest of the child. Had my birth mother decided to keep me for fear she would regret it, I would never have been placed with the wonderful parents who raised me.
My birth mother gave me the precious gift of adoption. She selflessly looked beyond her own needs and desires to give me two incredible parents who provided me unlimited love and support. I hope someday to thank her personally, and let her know how grateful I am for her generosity.
I pray this young mother is willing to put her child's needs before her own and to decide what will benefit her son the most. Such a decision would never lead to regret. -- GRATEFUL IN NORTHEAST IOWA
DEAR GRATEFUL: I'm sure you speak for the majority of adopted children.