She is ours and hers

Last year at this time, Desta was still in her biological mother’s stomach, just starting out with life.

This entire Thanksgiving was a surreal experience for me (when I actually would STOP and think about it).  This adoption journey is a strange thing. We prepared and longed for a child for so long. Then suddenly, there she is and in our home, part of our family.  We attempt to quickly learn each other’s language, know what sets each off and how to be a new family.

I was bittersweet this holiday.  I missed Desta’s mother terribly.  There was a soul wrenching longing to know her.  I wish I could have met her. And then if I did, Desta would not be ours.  Strange huh?  Wanting to desperately meet someone while knowing that if I did, there would have been no reason to meet.

I look at Desta’s big huge eyes and wish I knew the story behind those. How many generations had those eyes?  Was it her aunt, her uncle, or a grandmother many generations removed?  How about her sweet flat little plump feet?  Whose were they?

See, Desta is my child. She is MY daughter.  BUT she also belonged to someone else, had another heritage and family that was hers and is no longer.

This Thanksgiving I was and am so thankful that God gave Desta to US. That HE decided she was to be the daughter WE get to raise.  And I will ponder all those little things in my heart, write them down and someday share with Desta, I pray, how much I have grieved and rejoiced for her in this short period of 7 months!

PS  This photo was taken by Sweet Feet Photography. Kathryn, the photographer, was amazing!  We found her through the Celebrating Adoption website.  All rights reserved.