On January 15 we celebrated Lily's Gotcha Day. Although Chad is usually the "blogger" in the family, I feel like I should share a bit about this day. I cannot believe that we have had Lily home with us for a year now. Part of me feels like she has always been in our family. On the other hand, the pain of waiting for her is still very fresh in my mind and the frusterations of all that was involved in the process still tear me apart.
I spent the day thinking back to those amazing moments one year ago. I remember so clearly seeing her in her foster mother's arms from way across the hotel lobby. I did everything I could to keep from sprinting toward them. Although I wanted to grab her out of Dora's arms, I waited an eternity for her to hand her over to me (it must have been about 10-15 seconds!) I remember thinking I can't believe that I never have to give her back. I remember the tearful goodbye's to Dora and Ruben. I could go on and on with the memories of that wonderful day and that first special week bonding with her while we were in Guatemala. I spent the day reflecting back, much like I do on the birthdays of my other children. It was such a great day!
As I look back over the past year that Lily has been home, I have spent a great deal of time wrestling with issues such as why do I deserve this beautiful little girl? Why are we so blessed to live such a great life? How much pain is her birthmother feeling? Will her pain ever fade? Is removing these beautiful children from their beautiful country helping to solve the problems in Guatemala? Adopting our daughter has become so much bigger than just adding another child to our family. (If you know me well, you have heard me say this so many times and I'm not sure how else to say this). We have fallen in love with her country. We have a new awareness of poverty (unlike any sort of poverty we had seen in the U.S.). We have a sense of urgency to try to give back to Guatemala because of what we were able to take away from there. We want our daughter to know and love her birth country. We are asking the Lord what all of this means and what His plans are for our family. So, our celebration of Lily's Gotcha Day was a time to look back, and a time to look forward. God has been so amazing to us!
Carrie made this shadow box to show off some of our great memories from our trips to Guatemala.
Carrie made this shadow box to show off some of our great memories from our trips to Guatemala.
We had a great meal at San Chez to celebrate the occasion.
2 comments:
Hi Carrie and Chad!! I've been thinking about you and your darling family of late, as it was a year ago that we were in Guatemala together. Happy Gotcha Day!! I, too, have been reflecting on this last year and particularly of our time in Guatemala. It meant so much to have you visit us at our little casita in Antigua. I remember it was Cole's birthday and we were lonesome because Dave couldn't be with us. But having you visit was like having family around for a bit. Chad hung the pinata and all was right in the world. You're family will always have a special place in our hearts. I'll never forget meeting you all in the lobby of the Marriott in August of '06. You were passing off Lily and we were waiting for Soli. Seeing your family was like looking into a mirror at our own. I feel lucky that our paths have crossed. The kiddos are darling. Thanks for sharing. Big hugs, Heather and the Gang
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