What can I say except that everyday is such a blessing....There are days that I say to myself how did we get so blessed to be Finley's parents... I feel like the luckiest mommy ever. I remember the first day meeting her with so much anticipation and when she was placed in my arms, it was just pure peace and comfort...She was ours....We waited over three years and I finally new why we had waited so long...Because we were waiting for her to enter this world...I would of waited 10 more years, maybe with a little therapy, but I would have...
One thing that has been a constant on my mind was our Orphanage visit in Ethiopia. When we arrived we were not sure if any of the birth parents were going to arrive at the time. Keith and I spent our time hanging with the amazing children, each of them just a pure joy. I was taking some photos and came across this beautiful smile and snapped a photo.....then said to myself you look just like my daughter Finley..And went on my way...About an hour later we were told Finley's birth mother was there and wanted to meet us...We rushed out....Met the most amazing person who will forever be in my heart.....As our meeting was ending and people were loading up to head back, this beautiful smiling girl who I had taken a photo of a few hours prior came running towards us, some words were exchanged and then translated to us...My knees became numb, and heart started raising....We were told this was Finley's sister... I was confused, my first instinct was to say we will be right back to get you, we will sell our house, I will get another job. But you too must be together....And then she grabbed a hold of her mommy who is Finley's birth mommy... And then there was peace once again. I was happy to know she was still with her mother and that her mother was taking very good care of her, but could not handle having 2 children. She was a child herself.
Is this really happening, Keith and I standing there, the bus is loading up to leave, and I am now having the feeling that I never I want to leave these two. They are my family too. In those moments, those precious tender moments we exchanged many kisses, hugs, and promises...We had to go, they were both so strong, Keith and I were a mess. I headed back to the back of the van where we were sitting and opened up the window, so that I could see them together one last time, they were blowing kisses both of them to us. I just kept telling them how much I loved them and that Finley will be so loved....And we drove off.
These are stories I have floating in my head all day and night. When anyone talks about there hero or someone that inspires them. It is these two girls...They are my heart and soul and they are living through my daughter... and this is why I feel so lucky to have this little lady be our daughter.....
14 comments:
Beautiful, Erin....perfectly said!
This is an amazing story! A true treasure and blessing.
This story made me cry. Good and bad and happy and sad. I know what you mean. Part of my heart will always be in Ethiopia with their mother. That's good though. This shouldn't be easy. And, we shouldn't forget. They never will.
They're beautiful and so is she. Thank you for sharing.
All I can say is W O W...
oh, erin. what a precious story. thank you so much for sharing. i cannot imagine those moments. what a precious family you all have . . . in Ethiopia, too. :)
This makes me want to burst into tears. This picture is so special - and how special it will be for Finley to see!
You are the BEST mom, Erin!! You readily embrace your daughter's family, her former life, and all she has been through. What a lovely gift for Finley to have such open, honest parents who are so willing to share her story to inspire others. I love your open approach to her adoption, and thank you so much for sharing the pictures!!!!
What a sweet sweet post. I wish we were allowed to write to the birthmothers and keep in touch. What an adorable sister Finley has!!!
Erin, thank you for sharing this with us. It brought tears to my eyes and goose bumps all over. Such a beautiful story ... so many emotions!! Thank you.
Wow. What an amazing story. It must be comforting to know that your Finley has a sister and birth mom that love her very much on the other side of the world. :-D
Erin, I remember when you told me that story. You brought tears to my eyes! I loved seeing this picture. THank you so much for sharing. I hope our birthfamily visit goes as well!
so amazing you got that experience. You can share that with your daughter and she will know about her birth mother and sister. I have a picture of Haven and her birth Mom that I feel so blessed to have for her, but poor Alec was abandoned. I find myself thinking about his birth mom a lot the loss she must of have felt and the selfless act of putting him out near the police station when he was so sick with pneumonia. truely a hero.
I've followed your blog for forever, and I have always wanted to comment on it! I have had so much to say to you over the months that I never knew how to express since we are not in the adoption process yet! :) I think you're so lovely in every way, and this story touched me so much. I felt the love you have for Finley's family, and the love they have for her. Finley is so lucky to have such wonderful parents who honor her birth family, and it will provide her such comfort someday. In all of the pictures with her, your love for her shines, and she is such a darling blessing.
Your're such an inspiration, and I love reading about your journey! :)
Such a beautiful story! Made me teary eyed as I read it....
M is an only child in her bio family but I keep thinking of the big sis that we are bringing home shortly. I can't imagine what will have happened that her mom or another relative will be relinquishing her at age 4-5. Will she have siblings? What will HER story be? It's overwhelming at times...isn't it?
again, thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
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