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Tuesday, February 28, 2006

"Why This Child?"

Words are like flowers in a summer field,
when I reach to pick them they often yield
unwillingly, or wither in my hand,
limp and useless, not nearly as grand
as before I gathered them on demand.

And today someone asked me, “Why this child?”
“Why her, so foreign and Eastern-styled?
Why do you want her?” The words would not come,
in all that bright meadow of words there were none
to declare the reasons my heart calls her home.

My mind like a new-planted field gently lies,
quietly holding the hows and the whys.
We stand at the deep edge of need, she and I,
across the cold seasons we silently fly
to warm one another, and words don’t tell why.

For words are like flowers, delicate, rare
and when I would pick them, are not always there.
As sunlight and shadows on field flowers dart,
or in dim forests ferns flourish apart,
words sometimes don’t tell us what blooms in the heart.
Lori Hess from Spokane Washington
WACAP newsletter, January 1976

Saturday, February 18, 2006

Don't Miss Your Blessing

The man whispered, "God, speak to me" and a Chickadee sang. But, the man did not hear.So the man yelled "God, speak to me!" And, the thunder rolled across the sky. But, the man did not listen.The man looked around and said, "God let me see you." And a star shined brightly. But the man did not notice.And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle!" And, a life was born. But, the man did not know.So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here!"Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man. But, the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.
--Unknown

Poem from a Birth Mother

ON THE WINGS OF A PRAYER
I set you free on the wings of a prayer
To fly through life in His tender care,
You're free from the nest and the ties that are bound
Free from the pressures I carry around.
If I kept you I'd only be cutting your wings,
Not offering the chance a true family brings.
The decision I've made has my heart torn in two,
But I know what I'm doing is the best thing for you.
The sky is so vast, the mountains so high
Take wing and remember:
I love you.
Goodbye.
--LISA BOTE-PHILLIPS, a birth mother

Legacy of An Adopted Child

Once there were two women who never knew each other
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother

Two different lives shaped to make you one
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun

The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it
The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it

One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name
One gave you a talent, the other gave you aim

One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried you tears

One made an adoption plan, that was all that she could do
The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you.
Now, which of these two women, Are you the product of?
Both, my darling, Both, Just two different types of love.
---- Unknown

How could you know?

As you lay sleeping far away as still as you could be...
How could you know the joy today this photo brings to me?

A few short weeks and you'll be mine, and "I" will soon be "We".
How could you know the love I feel? It's something you can't see.

So have sweet dreams, my precious babe. Sleep well and tenderly.
Some say that you're the lucky one. How could you know it's me?


--- Kris Laughlin

Mothers

Not flesh of my flesh, Nor bone of my bone, But still miraculously my own. Never forget for a single minute, You didn't grow under my heart - but in it --- Fleur Conkling Heylinger

For finding you mother,There's one certain test.You must look for the creature who loves you the best.---David Kirk (Little Miss Spider)

Every child deserves a home of his own. ---Harry Holt

We're so lucky

I didn't come out of my mother.
I don't have my father's green eyes.
No one in my family looks like me.
People are always surprised.
I think we're a happier family
Than if we were all kings and queens.
We're so lucky we all found each other.
That's what being adopted means.
--- Pamela Espeland and Marilyn Waniek

Witness a Miracle

We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life. But those who make their journey home across time & miles, growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them, are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us by God's very own hands.
--- Kristi Larson

Someday Mom

As a girl I had a common dream, to be a mom someday.
My baby would have eyes of blue and hair the hue of hay.
But now my dreams have been transformed. New visions fill my head.
Now the tresses that I long to stroke are raven black instead.

And in my dreams those eyes are not so big or blue or round.
Now in my dreams they're almond shape and colored cocoa brown.
And in my dream my arms can stretch across enormous seas.
They reach half-way around the world and hold you close to me.

As you grow in your mother's womb, carefully knit together,
Your also growing in my heart, where you will stay forever.
And in my dreams the moment that your mother says good-bye,
I'll be right there to comfort you and hold you as you cry.

Our features may not look alike; we're different as can be.
But still I know the father has created you for me.
And though I've not yet seen your face, or held your tiny hands,
And though we're half a world apart in very different lands.

I'll be right there to get you just as soon as God allows.
But til he says the time is right I give to you this vow.
I'll pray for your protection every night on bended knee
for God will hold you in his arms, until you're home with me!

Monday, February 13, 2006

A Mother's Love

Were you born today across the ocean deep and blue?
Did someone wrap you warmly? Did they stop and gaze at you?

Did they look upon your almond eyes and touch your silken hair?
Did they stop to kiss each tiny toe, hear your breath upon the air?

Did you hear a soft voice comforting, securely in her arms?
The warmth of two souls bonding, oh, the lure of newborn charms.

Were they charmed by every movement; every yawn and stretch and pout?
Did they celebrate with handshakes and good spirits all about?

(Or were the tears mistaken, as they fell upon your face?
Their eyes were wells of sorrow? Their heads hung in disgrace?

Did they tremble when they realized the thing that would be done?
Did they mourn the new day coming, with the rising of hte sun?)

Did they place you, oh so tenderly, in the place where you were found?
Were those blankets wrapped up tightly to deny the cold, hard ground?

Did she whisper words of comfort with a love that was so deep?
Did she recognize the features of this one she could not keep?

Did you feel the night wind blowing as it carried in the morn?
Did you hear your mother weeping on the day that you were born?

And here across the ocean a mother weeps for you.
How long before she travels across that ocean, deep and blue?

How long before she gazes at those dimpled hands?
How long before she travels to that promised, distant land?

Her heart is filled with gladness. Her dreams are coming true.
The secret thrill of motherhood, across that ocean deep and blue.

And she'll gaze upon your almond eyes and touch your silken hair.
She'll stop and kiss each tiny toe...feel your breath upon the air.

And you'll hear a soft voice comforting; the worlds so insecure.
Two fragile souls are bonding as they hold each other near.

She'll be charmed by every movement; every yawn and stretch and pout.
And she'll celebrate with handshakes and good spirits all about.

And you'll hear the night wind blowing as she rocks you off to sleep.
And she'll whisper words of comfort, with a love that is so deep.
...And far across the ocean a mother weeps...

~by Mary E. McRae

Saturday, February 11, 2006

From the Bible and those close to God

For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.
--I Samuel 1:27


"Do not be afraid for I am with you. I will bring your children from the East and gather you from the West." God
--Isaiah 43:5

"Do you want to do something beautiful for God? There is a person who needs you. This is your chance."
--Mother Teresa

"I have looked for you and now you have come to me."
--Pope John Paul II

THE GIFT OF LIFE

I didn't give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.

For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true.
Though I didn't give you the gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.
~Author Unknown

KISSES IN THE WIND

KISSES IN THE WIND
(for our daughter in China)

We hold you in our hearts
and touch you in our dreams.
You are here each day with us,
at least that's how it seems.

We know you wonder where we are...
what's taking us so long.
But remember child, We love you so
and God will keep you strong.

Now go outside and feel the breeze
and let it touch your skin...
Because tonight, just as always,
We blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand
until We can be with you.
We promise you, our darling,
We're doing all that We can do.

Very soon, you'll have a family for real,
not just pretend.
But for tonight, just as always,
We blow you kisses in the wind.

May God wrap you in His arms
and hold you very tight.
And let the angels bring the kisses
that We send to you each night.

--- Unknown

Chinese Lullaby

Similar to “Hush Little Baby” in the English-speaking world, this is the lullabye every Chinese child learns:


Mama Hao (Mandarin)
Shi shang zhi you mama hao.
You ma de hai zi xiang ge bao.
Tou jin mama de huai bao Xin fu xiang bu liao.
Shi shang zhi you mama hao.
Mei ma de hai zi xiang ge cao.
Li kai mama de huai baoXin fu na li zhao.

English translation:
Only Mama is the best in all the world.
With a mama, you have the most valued treasure.
Jump into mama’s heart andYou have endless happiness.
Only Mama is the best in all the world.
Without a mama you are like a piece of grass,
Away from mama's heart, Where will you find happiness?

Listen to the lullaby here.