i love you, mama
She squeezed just a bit, and she patted her little hands on the back of my legs. Then she looked way up into my eyes,
kiss kiss, please
I crouched down and looked into her eyes, and she looked into mine.
I kissed her, dried snot and old cream cheese and all. How could I resist?
Then she trotted off as quickly as she came and went back to stacking up the Lego's.
This post is for the docs who said autism.
It's for the gal from social services who sat in my home that asked me if we wanted to consider residential treatment.
For the therapist that asked me if we were thinking about disrupting this adoption.
This one's for them. - You folks knew little to nothing about international adoption and what institutionalism can do to a child. This is for a whole community who had so so little to offer when a family, when my family was desperately reaching out for knowledge and guidance. You knew nothing about what a child can look like or act like when they are still in that limbo of being wrapped with the love of a family but imprinted by the memories of an orphanage... and isolation... and abandonment... and malnutrition.
My baby girl. I just wasn't there yet.
Nancy, love love love this post. Really touched my heart. And as always, beautiful portraits.
ReplyDeleteWow. Simply wow.
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching post. Your daughter is beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written.
ReplyDeleteShe is gorgeous!
Tears...and smiles...what a beautiful girl!
ReplyDeleteThe power of love and God's grace-amazing!!
ReplyDeleteou brought tears is my eyes.
ReplyDeleteShe is stunning!
you are amazing. Not that she doesn't look so very easy to love...but it takes a special kind of crazy Mama to NOT listen to the people who are supposed to know what they are taking about...and to listen to HER daughter's heart. To think the things she will do because of the love she received from you...and ALL of her crazy family....
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful. Wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteWow...
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful words and WHAT AMAZING PHOTOS! Wow!
ReplyDeleteWhat do they know?
ReplyDeleteShe is precious and beautiful and you are blessed.
Loved the post!
Blessings,
Jennifer
Gorgeous captures and the reflection in hers eyes is amazing. Such a wonderful, touching post. Your daughter is beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post and a stunning little girl!
ReplyDeleteI'm with everyone else about the reflection in her eyes!
ReplyDeleteBut seriously.. she has some bold and beautiful eyes!!
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful girl
ReplyDeleteoooh did you just cut her hair nancy? her bangs look different!
ReplyDeleteCaroline-
ReplyDeleteSeveral months ago, TESS cut her own hair, a big chink out of the side. It was so long and pretty, but I figured it was the perfect time to grow out her bangs, and I cut about 6" off the length to help compensate for the bald chunk. Now some time has gone by and those bangs a starting to get out of their awkward phase. I think she looks pretty darn gorgeous no matter the hair! I'm jealous!
Oh, Nancy,
ReplyDeleteI loved this post and here's why. We adopted Faith through the China special needs program a year and a half ago. Her special need....learning delayed.
This morning on the way out of church her sunday school teacher stopped me and said, "I love having Faith in class. She's so intelligent!"
....She is!! :)
I'm with ya' sister!!
Cherie
That's right girl!!!
ReplyDeleteShe is blossoming so much from the love of a wonderful patient family. I am soooo glad we got to meet you on our trip to Arizona. Hopefully, we will journey your way again in the futures. Hugs from Tori to Tess and Jude. You have given us the gift of friendship, a special bond of our little ones, and you have pushed my passion of photography to a new level. I completed my class and am LOVING the new way I look at what's in the camera lens. THanks!
ReplyDeleteShe is a beauty! Love this post.
ReplyDeleteBack from a break in the "blog world." I look forward to catching up on what you've been up to.
Blessings,
Candace
She is a beauty! Love this post.
ReplyDeleteBack from a break in the "blog world." I look forward to catching up on what you've been up to.
Blessings,
Candace
The doctors only know what the books tell them. Don't get me wrong, there are some pretty great doc's out there. However, God's plan is not in the books. His plan is always outside the box we find ourselves in or putting others in. I see so much joy in her, her giggles and her smiles, she looks to me like a soul bursting with joy and finding her path to let it out without any walls to stop it. I beleive that girl is going to do big things with the gifts God has given her.She is so precious!
ReplyDeleteSigh....I've not visited in a while, and I'm so glad to have read this. Wow...by His Grace, huh?
ReplyDeletecheck this out:
http://hisgracehisglory.blogspot.com/2011/03/adoption-lessons-of-hope-and-healing.html
Your daughter is so beautiful! Love reading about all her transformations, little and big. So happy you have each other, Cathy
ReplyDeleteYay!!!!!!!!!! After HOURS of stalking, ahem, I mean reading your blog... I finally found the post I was looking for. SIGH
ReplyDelete