I first had this experience about 8 years ago on a case as a volunteer advocate for kids in CPS custody. The little girl's foster mom and I planned a small party for her at the foster mom's house with cake, balloons, and some neighborhood kids. Due to circumstances in the home she was removed from, the little girl had never had a birthday celebration before. The way she lit up over the modest cake and candles, the way she was so very incredulous that the balloons were for her! I will never, never forget it.
Little did I know back then, that there would be a day about 8 years later that I'd be celebrating another very special little girl turning four who had never had her birthday recognized before, my daughter home from Ethiopia 10 months!
Our Little Girl turned 4 years old on Saturday! And her excitement over it all was huge! She knew it was HER day and ate up every bit of it!
Sweet Little Girl,
We were so thankful to be able to celebrate this day with you. Last year we were so sad to have met you, to know it was your birthday, yet not be able to be together with you when you turned 3, but God comforted us with the amazing news we got on your exact 3rd birthday that we had officially passed court in Ethiopia and were legally your family!! We vowed that it was the final year. That never again would your birthday pass by just as any other day. Forevermore we would make sure you knew how loved and special and precious you were!
Your face radiates joy, just like in that picture, every single day. You are spunky and loving and feisty and sweet and loud and bossy and athletic and smart and active and amazing and really larger than life! It is a privilege to be your family! God created you and He has watched over you every second since. He has already done tremendous things in your life and we can only imagine what else He has planned for your story! Now that we can be, we will be loving you and cheering you on every step of the way!
Much love,
Your forever family
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Wow! What joy on her face! I'm so glad she's found her forever family!
ReplyDeleteHi, I’m Anne from Life on the Funny Farm (http://annesfunnyfarm.blogspot.com), and I’m visiting from Gratituesday.
ReplyDeleteThis brought tears to my eyes. God bless you and your beautiful dtr! I also have adopted kids (3 adopted, 3 by birth), and they were older at the times of their adoptions (5, 10, and 13), so I know exactly what you mean! So sad that they had to wait so long to feel like the special, loved children that they are.
Anyway, it’s nice to “meet” you! Hope you can pop by my blog sometime to say hi…
So beautiful! So blessed. Here's to many wonderful birthdays ahead.
ReplyDeleteBlessed family! Her face really does say it all!
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