Firecracker! Firecracker! Boom Boom Boom…

A question was placed before our children in the form of the following: Who do you believe suffered more from the loss of your brother…birth siblings or adopted siblings? Indeed, questions such as these were required to complete a year long process of paperwork to close out what already seemed like an eternity of grief.

How does a child, especially those with internal injuries respond to a question such as this? I can say with God’s grace our eldest daughter, in one fell swoop, spoke words of truth, sincere and clear! “How can I say who’s grief is judged by time spent with someone they love? Even if I spent more time, the losses incurred in the lives of fostered and adopted children are far greater than any loss I had experienced, until now.” Indeed truth was spoken. Her words will forever be etched in my mind and heart. If only others could understand what she does as a young adult!

My understanding of trauma was low before we were blessed by adoption. God opened my eyes to many things these past few years, nothing that could have been anticipated. I’ve seen love and understanding, through growth and loss, shaping our family’s tomorrows.

Recently, I was asked if we would have adopted had we known what challenges it would bring to our life. I laughed, as my mind flew through the pages of uncertainly that life brings! Seriously, if we knew of the challenges, we may choose to hide under the covers each day! I pray for understanding that adoption, just as birth, brings blessings and burdens. Life is a bundle of firecrackers. The response you choose to meet the unexpected, expected boom, makes all the difference in your future. I believe that if our son could see me today, I would want him to be grateful for my actions, just as if he were standing in front of me. As always, I would not want to disappoint. 🙂  I may “try to hard,” but I am good with that and I know he would be too.

It has been noted, that there will forever be people with ideas, but not many that will take the plunge to make a dream happen. No risk = no reward. The next time you see a need, walk to it, not away. You ARE chosen to shine.  In the short amount of time our family has spent learning to live with gains and loss, it has brought tumultuous AND peaceful, life changing moments. I pray you see the firecracker that brings a bright spark into your life and you seize it!

It only takes a spark to get a fire going…And soon all those around, can warm up in the glowing…That’s how it is with God’s love! Once you’ve experienced it, you’ll spread His love, to everyone, you’ll want to pass it on…

MamaC