After having read a lot of blogs lately, it’s becoming clear how much struggle, loss and heartbreak adoptive parents go through. It has made me appreciate our situation and I felt the need to share with you all why I feel lucky.
**We are lucky to be a part of the adoption circle now. We get comments from people who are in all phases of the adoption cycle from beginning to end. It so fun to read your blogs and hear what you have to say about ours. It’s great to see pictures of your families, learn from your experiences and have your support.
**We are lucky to have met some incredible people, who are quickly becoming friends. You know who you are, but your emails and phone calls have been amazing. Your knowledge, information and willingness to help is seriously rare these days. Thank you so much. I am so happy to know I have a friend to hang out with through the adoption future. Hopefully coffee, in person, someday.
**We are lucky that we have not had to struggle with infertility. After having read some blogs, I have gotten a small glimpse into that world. I am thankful that we haven’t had to endure it. Like I’ve mentioned before, we are choosing adoption. It’s true; Frank can’t have children due to a stem cell transplant that cured him of CML (Leukemia). At first, he was devastated. I wasn’t. Of course, I was sorry he was upset, but I always knew I would adopt. When I was little, my pretend family was adopted children - the role played by my favorite dolls. So, when we got the news that he was unable to have children of “his own,” I responded with a shrug of the shoulders, a smile and “guess we’ll have to adopt.” Once I explained myself, we both felt like it was what we were meant to do together.
**We are lucky we are not in a rush. (see above bullet #3) A wise woman recently pointed this out to me. (see bullet #2) I think a lot of people who have been through so much with infertility come to adoption with a hurry up mentality because finally they have something guaranteed to hold on to. I totally get that and I am sure I’d feel the same way. However, we haven’t been through any treatments, this is our first attempt. We’re doing it when we’re ready and because of that there is no need to hurry it along. (That’s not to say that sometimes I don’t wish we could fast forward to the point in our lives where we’re close to meeting our child.) But, not rushing means we are able to take our time, being very selective – another big positive.
**We are lucky our personal lives are going the way we set them up to go. Frank is working at the Big Four. A dream come true for him because it will lead to bigger and better opportunities when we move back to the States. (I still don’t get what the fun is with numbers, taxes, etc – but he is thrilled) I am in medical school and succeeding. A dream come true for me. Sometimes with all the work and relocation/adoption planning, we forget to take a minute to look around at our life and be thankful for what we have now. We are living our dream and we are living on a tropical island. Does it get much better? (well, we could have a Starbucks on the island, our family and our cat here… but this post is about not complaining isn’t it….)
view from our porch
Okay, so enough already… just felt compelled to tell you all that I feel lucky and thankful. Here’s hoping you all have something you feel lucky for in your worlds.
What a great post!
Waking up to that view every morning… simply priceless!!!!
Comment by Denise :o) — March 31, 2007 @ 11:24 pm
Hey,
Nice post!! We all need to take a minute and just pause and reflect!! Nice job!
Also I forgot to tell you that my mom, dad and sister and aunt and uncle were/are down there on spring break!!
We would have joined them — had everything worked out and gone smoother.. however we are still hoping to “thaw” out down there after the first trip… (but as with everything that could change!!) If we come.. I’ll bring the coffee!!!
Comment by brandie — April 1, 2007 @ 1:06 am
How much longer are you in Grand Cayman? Wowee, your place looks awesome. Wanna swap places for a couple of weeks?
Comment by Tricia — April 2, 2007 @ 5:31 am
Hi! Just found your blog through a link on another one. It will be nice to follow your story
)
Comment by Amy — April 2, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
Great post Christen. Although I do appreciate my life, sometimes it’s nice to be reminded of how lucky I am. I have a wonderful husband, two adorable little boys, and hopefully will meet my daughter in the next few months. It’s the life I’ve always dreamed of, although I sometimes forget that during the daily trials and tribulations. Thanks for the reminder! And can I say how jealous I am of your view?!?!!? Simply amazing.
Comment by Allison — April 3, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
AMEN, it’s hard to remember how great things really are sometimes when you’re so busy focusing on all the little things going wrong, thanks for reminding us.
Comment by Nancy — April 4, 2007 @ 8:09 pm
You are truly blessed! I do think that there are people, both of us included, that just have always felt destined to adopt. I think this is important- that you feel this was the path meant for you. There is something you should realize about adoption though- a lot of people start out not in a hurry- but as you start going through it you realize that paperwork expires quickly and redoing it can be difficult. Also, after you meet your child it is difficult to leave them behind before your can officially adopt them. So most people who were taking it slow at first become crazy with wanting to speed everything up towards the end. Good luck with your schooling! I know it can be grueling since I went through it with M!
Comment by jeneflower — April 5, 2007 @ 3:20 pm