Marcy Kumer

I was born and raised in a small town with old-fashioned Methodist values. My sheltered upbringing shaped my perspective, and I was naive as the world whirled around me. My mother, who stayed home and loved her role, created a warm, loving environment. She believed in honesty, was close to God, and treated everyone with respect, seeing the good in everyone she met. Her belief in helping others instilled in me the idea that even a small act of kindness can create a lasting impact. These values inspire me to connect, uplift, and contribute to a world where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to become their best selves. My aunt, my mom’s sister, was another significant inspiration. Although she may not have known, I looked up to her and wanted to emulate her. As a nurse and a teacher, she embodied the qualities I admired. As a teenager, my focus was on escaping that small town, and coming to Tucson felt like the greatest adventure. However, once I arrived, I faced unexpected challenges, becoming pregnant early and longing to return to my family. Despite my wishes, I believe God guided me to stay in Tucson, where I now work at Adoption Solutions of Arizona, assisting women in finding loving homes for their babies. Whether they grapple with substances, have experienced trauma, or are facing challenges, I work with women seeking support. At Adoption Solutions of Arizona, we provide personalized case management and open adoptions, empowering women to choose their families and ensuring their babies are well cared for. They can view pictures of their children, meet the adoptive family, and reunite later. Our case managers stand by their side during and after birth, offering essential support. This agency places immense value on both birth mothers and adoptive families, genuinely caring for their feelings. My journey, guided by God, has been extensive. When I first arrived in Tucson, I wanted to turn around and go home; I was alone, pregnant, and overwhelmed by the heat. My pregnancy was challenging, and at one point, I almost lost my life. I went on to have two more children, but tragedy struck when my youngest, Michael, was killed in a hit-and-run accident at the age of 15 in the year 2003. That day shattered our lives and changed everything forever. Michael was special; despite being small, he had a big heart. I believe God took him home that day, and his loss profoundly affected us all. Our family struggled to cope, walking down dark paths in our grief. For 15 years, I’ve been on a healing journey. Although we’ve found better paths now, the scars remain. I graduated from college in 2017, thanks to my son Jacob, who signed me up for school. I earned a degree in social work and substance use disorders, starting out by helping pregnant teenagers and eventually working with women battling substance use issues. Now, I proudly serve at Adoption Solutions of Arizona. Jacob, who once struggled with heroin and went to prison, is now clean and happily married. My daughter Sara is thriving, married to a wonderful man with three beautiful granddaughters, and she works as a registered nurse. My adopted son, Anthony, is currently facing difficulties with substance use, but I hold onto hope and faith for his recovery. My husband is thriving in his sobriety, and I embrace my passion for writing. I craft poetry and short stories with the dream of publishing my book soon, while I’ve also had my poems featured in magazines. As a Christian and a dog lover, I appreciate the journey of life’s many paths. Each day is a chance to grow, learn, and forgive, reminding ourselves that holding onto anger only creates more pain. It’s crucial to embrace forgiveness and extend love and support to one another.