The Gift of Adoption

You hear about it nearly everyday... at work, at church, your friends... the miracle of birth is everywhere.  Every second a baby is born its a miracle.  People get excited.  People cry.  Friends throw you a shower.  You go to a shower.  It's a big deal.  It's a moment in life a parent never forgets.  I certainly won't.

But adoption is different.  People don't know what to say... they haven't experienced it.  It's easy to forget about... no big belly... no 9 month timeline... The road of adoption is certainly a road less traveled by... but certainly for that one child... that child God has chosen for you and you for them... it makes all the difference. 

I remember the desperation I felt when I thought we'd never get pregnant.  It was painful and real.  But now, having experienced childbirth, I'm so excited to be adopting - and feel like I misunderstood a lot of things the first time around.  I wish someone had told me about the miracle of adoption.  The true miracle of God chosing a child for ME and me for them.  A child without my DNA, family history or bloodline.... but a child that shared my heart just the same.  I never really thought about the fact that all those people who got to experience childbirth, the never got to experience this. 

Adoption is a different journey and a different miracle.  But a miracle none the same.  I haven't experienced it yet, but I know that when I hold my baby girl for the first time I won't care that she didn't kick inside my belly or that her skin is black and mine is white.  I know I'll cry and hug her and kiss my husband like I did the first time my two boys were born and utter I love you through the tears and choke out the words 'Thank you Jesus' as I did when I kissed my two boys as they were placed in my arms.  At that very moment - she will be my little miracle, my daughter forever, created by God for me to love and I know I'll feel just as much like her mommy as I did with my boys. 

I had two c-sections.  I have no idea what it feels like to give birth the way most women do.  It doesn't bother me.  I bet many adoptive women feel the same about adoption.  I'm so excited to experience the miracle of adoption... and to share our story with others.  I was anxious to hold my little boys and it was amazing.  But I know without the shadow of a doubt the wait for my little girl - and the feelings when I hold her will be the same.  The three greatest moments of my life.  Equally amazing.  Uniquely special.