Tomorrow is a big day around here. My dear friends are signing their official adoption paperwork. FINALLY! It's been a long road with so many twists and turns that I am so proud to be asked to attend this occasion. How could one be anything but humbled to be asked.
It's odd, none of my close friends have had an easy time having children. They each have their own unique story and 90% of it is heartbreak. I give them all kudos and applause. They have chosen the path to motherhood and I will say I have not heard one honest to God complaint about the difficulty getting there. That is why each of are the best mothers that I know. Their children are more than wanted and loved but striven for and made sacrifices time and again for. Each time they hold their child it is a lifetime of want and love hugging them. What I admire more is the fact they want them to grow up to be the best people they can hope them to be. They want to raise well balanced adults. In other words, even though I am sure they want to throw every material good at them they are choosing not to. They want them to appreciate kindness and goodness and learn to give both back. So while many people I know are piling professionally wrapped boxes under the tree for their children and in turn the boxes are torn open and groaned over if it's not exactly what they want - these little ones are taught to appreciate the thoughtfulness in seeing a grandparent and the family all together. A gift is just a gift, torn open and discarded but a family is a precious present to keep forever.
Wow you are so right! The kids who get those professionally wrapped presents won't even remember them a year later!
ReplyDeleteIt truly is about the thought that counts, something that my mother made sure I was taught.