Our decisions have implications, beyond the immediate context. Every "yes" means a million "no's." Viewing seemingly small choices through the lens of hindsight, we reveal seismic shifts were attributable to chance, serendipity or an afterthought.

Circumstances, adoption, or birth delivers our children to our arms and alters our future.

The odds were long that being a Godparent would be anything more than a dedication to love. But now your new daughter is upstairs grieving the...