The Questions That Were Sure To Come....

This very morning I picked up a magazine and read a couple of articles on adoption related topics.  The first spoke to communicating early with your children about adoption.  As I read I noticed that I was feeling pretty smug.  Talk early...no duh!  Don't hold back.....no duh!  Ensure they have a safe environment to ask their questions.  Of course!  And then I read that it's between 4 and 6 that kids start to talk more openly about the differences in how they look compared to their parents.  Hmmmm, I thought, I wonder if Ju will ever go through that since we've talked about our differences and likenesses from early on.

Tonight was a very late night.  It was so late that Scott & I planned to go to bed when the kids did.  We were rushing around and trying to get everyone where they were supposed to be when Ju said, "Who is my real family and how many sleeps until I get to go to China to see them again?"

Breath, Traci, breath.  "Scott!"

"What does real mean to you, Ju?"

"I mean my family in China."

"You have two sets of real parents, Ju.  Daddy and I are your forever parents and your other real parents are your birth parents.  Are you asking about your birth parents?"

"I just want to go see them......like foster Momma'.  Can I go see foster Momma' in China?"

"Ju, we're planning on going to see her when you are about eight.  Would you like to go and see her then?"

"Yes, but I miss her now.  Can I go and get her picture to look at?"

Jade went to the living room and brought back the picture of she and foster Mom that was taken in foster momma's home when she was nine months old.  She also brought a picture of Scott & I on our honeymoon.  "Can I take this too, Momma'?"  When I said yes she responded with, "Good, I'll have pictures of both my families."

Through the course of the conversation she also said, "Mommy, I don't look like you and Dad and Kevin and Valerie - just Yitong."  We talked about that; about our differences and about our similarities.  I never want to forget how she laughed hysterically when I mentioned my very big nose and her very small nose.  She roared with laughter as she pointed to my nose. :)

For the past two months, at least, Jade has talked about Yitong a TON.  She draws pictures of her and for her and asks over and over when she'll be home.  Tonight she said, "Do you know why I want Yitong to come home, Momma'?  Because she looks like me and she was born in China too.  Then there will be four of you and two of us."

God, I have faith that our little girl will process all of this and come out victorious, but Lord she'll need you.  She'll need to find her worth and value in you and see herself through your eyes because the world is going to tell her different.  Father, we call on you tonight to guide our girl and to guide us as we lead her to your word.  Father, teach us how to lead her and we will obey.  We are here to serve you.  And we give you all the glory and praise tonight.

Thank you for the miracle of adoption, Father. 

 

Comments

[Granpa]

Beautiful child, beautifulway of telling it.

[Colista]

Sweet. Saying a prayer for her.