For the last year a thought has caused my heart to ache. What if, for some turn of fate, the tables were turned?
What if it were Jeff and I who found ourselves at the mercy of others... of living in the wrong place, in the wrong time, of being born without the opportunities I have had, without access to health care and education?
What if it were these children who were suddenly orphans with no place to go and no one to take care of them?
And what if these children went to another country and had to learn a foreign language? Learn to eat different foods? Attempt to fit into a new family?
What if the tables were turned and it was these children who went to live with Eyob and Nebiet in Ethiopia?
Am I naive enough to think that these children...
wouldn't... pout? have bad days? refuse to eat? test boundaries? forget how to do things? Would Eyob and Nebiet love these children regardless of their behavior? Would they adore them for all their imperfections? Would they think Justine was hysterical even when she cried to be rocked at night? Would they love Jaiden even when she refused to do her math? Would they think Jack was the smartest person alive even when he had to learn a new language and couldn't spell in that language either?
A thought that has gotten me through the last year is that my kids had parents who loved them very much. They had a mother who wouldn't let them go even when she was sick. They had parents who remembered their first steps and their first smile. They had parents who thought God had hung the sun and moon and stars on them.
And now they have us.
And I believe they are the cutest, funniest, smartest, sweetest kids even when they pout, and refuse to eat, and can't figure out how to tell time despite endless repetition, and all the other things that at times drive me crazy.
If Jack and Jaiden were adopted right now (especially today), they would be lucky not to be dumped in the river. Justine would definitely be a hand full and would have Nebiet in tears, I 'm sure. I also believe that Eyob and Nebiet would love my children just as much as I love their children. And I also believe that they are smiling down from heaven as they watch their children grow. Until we all meet again.
10 comments:
I have thought about that often. I have thought, if something happened to me, and someone adopted my children...how would I want them to treat them, love them, comfort them? And so said that their precious quirks could go unnoticed and unloved.
Great thought! Thank you for reminding me.
So true!! Love you blog. Your anniversary day pics were great, too. :)
Melissa
Well Miss Gina Ellerbee. That was awesome.
This post resonates with me... Since we've been home from Ethiopia, all I had become accustomed to looks quite a bit different. Crystal
Great way of looking at things Gina.
What a thought provoking post! I think it should be required reading for every prospective adoptive parents with bio children. I can't think of a better way to put ourselves in our chidren's shoes!
Blessings.
NB: How is the no tv going? I am routing for you and cheering every successful day!
That brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharning these feelings and thoughts! I love reading your blog. THANK YOU!!
Beautiful post!
laurel :)
The thought makes me sad, I can't imagine what thier bio family has felt. I hope they know how very much their new family loves them! Thanks for making our family a little better by adding all 6 of them to it! Love you all.
Aunt Jenny
I have often thought the exct same things. Thanks for posting about it!
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