Not forgotten

Seven years ago today, a baby boy was born.

Seven years ago, a woman made a difficult decision as a result of a difficult situation and bid a sad goodbye.

Seven years ago, a couple was preparing for yet another sad Christmas with empty arms...unaware that a stranger's decision 2,000 miles away that day would alter their lives forever.

The lives of countless people have been changed by a single, difficult but heroic choice. Strike that. Make that TWO difficult choices...made by two women who we will likely never get to meet. We will never get to say "thank you" in person.

How can we? Their sorrow has been our joy. Their sacrifice has been our gain. It doesn't quite seem fair that we ended up with the better end of the deal. Twice. Birthdays are bittersweet for an adoptive family.

Somewhere out there is a woman who for whom this has been a melancholy kind of day. I picture her thinking of, wondering about and likely aching for the little that I get to tuck into bed every night. I wish so much that I could reassure her...

That he is healthy and although smaller than his friends, last year's pants are flooding.
That he is learning how to read.
That he taught himself to ride a bike this summer.
That he has lost 3 teeth and has a 4th one that is wiggling now.
That he loves all things pertaining to Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Narnia and Alexander the Great.
That he loves Lego. And Animaniacs.
That he can sing Coldplay's Viva la Vida almost word for word.
That when he sings, he has perfect pitch.
That he loves the music from The Nutcracker suite.
That his favorite foods are spaghetti and tacos.
That he has a little brother that shares his ethnic heritage and they are inseparable.
That he is looking forward with unimaginable excitement for his First Holy Communion.
And above all that he is loved. And cherished.
And that we are forever grateful for a choice she made that turned our world around.

Please join me in saying a prayer for her. She has not been forgotten.