Another friend of mine just posted that she had a family member who actually said she was concerned that by adopting they would be taking things, like brand name clothes, away from their other children. REally? First, we don't buy our children brand name clothes anyway, but why can't others, outside of the adoption world, SEE that things don't matter. Should we leave our girls in orphanages, to whither away, so that I can give Thomas and Gwen THINGS? Do I want to raise children who would value toys over a person?
Is it okay for me to choose jewelry over rescuing these children? Some would say we have done our part. We adopted once already. Aren't we done yet? Hasn't the novelty worn off? How will we know when we are done? I would say right now that even after bringing the girls home we may not be done forever. How do you stare at pleading eyes, eyes that scream, hold me, love me, please, and say no, I need this THING more. I can't stare in those pleading eyes, and say, your life isn't worth it to me.
This is a ten YEAR old girl. Look closely at this picture. Notice how tiny she is? Notice the shaved head? Notice how she is tied hand and foot to a crib? She is tied so she can't get out of the crib and explore. She is tied so the caregivers don't have to deal with her. She is tied so she can be ignored, left year after year, not to grow and be loved, but to remain, to exist, to only exist. Is my life worth more than hers? Is it my place to decide her worth? I don't think so. This could be my Lillie or my Jocelyn in a few years. Jocelyn is already VERY small, 15 pounds or so at 6. Should I have left her?
This is a 13 year old boy. His hands are tied together to prevent him from hurting himself. I might hurt myself too if I was left in a crib and ignored all day, just to break up the monotony. I see you sweet boy, I see you.
I wish I could tell everyone who has doubts, or fears for us, or thinks we are crazy, how my heart will never be the same after leaving Eli's orphanage (which was truly doing a very nice job). I wish I could make them see the joy Eli brings us. I wish I could make them understand, that even on the hard days, the days I end up exhausted and worn, that I would never choose to go back to my old life. I wish their hearts would break just a little for these children, who have no one to rub their thin bodies and give them comfort. Who have no one to kiss them and love them and help them learn and explore. I wish I could explain the absolute joy I feel when I look at Eli, when he calls MAMA impatiently, when he holds his sisters hand in the car, when he comes to me and asks me to take him somewhere.
Everyone has worth and value. We will continue to value and love those we are entrusted with, and be open to anymore who may be brought our way.
I completley understand.....We were told that we weren't looking out for our Biological kids best interest cause they might not have enough room for their toys/ have less toys and that having to share a room with a sibling was an invasion of personal space (the person who said this last part plans on having her two biological girls share a room soon so they can have an office...the irony was not lost on me). The message of my biggest critics has always been the question, but what about your "stuff". What if you can't have as much "stuff"? Thank goodness I have the amazing opportunity to teach my kids the real value of "stuff" so that someday when they are asked to sacrifice for someone else in any way, the will know the value of "stuff" and be blessed because of it.
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