the beaten path

I took the kids to a local nature center today.  We decided to wander through the woods for awhile.  The older three were running and wandering, and Luci kept going off the path into the grassy/wooded part. 

Come back on the path i kept calling to her.  She kept telling me "NO", and kept pushing through.  I watched her fall and get up, fall and get up. 

Again, i encouraged her to come back on the path.  NO!!!  She told me again.  I watched her for a while more, then smiled and thought, good for her.  Its HARD to go off the beaten path. People will shout for you to come back to the safe, well traveled path.

 Adoption?  Hard??
Adopting a kid with special needs?  HARD
Trying to explain why you want a kid with special needs?  HARDER :)
Paperwork?  Hard and frustrating!
Waiting for your kid?  HARD
Traveling to a foreign country, not knowing anyone or the language?  HARD!
Leaving behind the other children?  HARDER
Trying to rescue other children and not being able to?  HARDEST!!!!

Is it worth it?  Absolutely. 

But it can be so scary to go off the path.  I hope, if i ever get the chance again, that i can skip off that path with absolute faith, just like my baby did today, knowing that everything will be fine in the end.  That it will be worth it in the end. 


P.S.  Because we wandered so far into the forest, we were the only family there after a while.  The nice lady at the nature center said bc we were the only ones there that she would get the bunny out and let us pet it!  So awesome!!!