Opening Hearts

When our daughter was just 2 years old, and I was due any minute with our first son, Sam's younger brother was in a fatal accident. We had an emergency babysitter come watch Becky while she slept, and spent the next few hours at the hospital trying to come to terms with the news we'd just been delivered.

The tears flowed unchecked.

The shock kept us from rational thoughts.

The hurt and pain just wouldn't go away, whether it was daylight or dark.

And that night when we got home from the hospital, knowing that life would never be the same, Sam and I walked up the stairs of our apartment and into the room of our daughter. Without saying a word to each other, we both knelt by her bed and just started at our child, thanking God for what we had.

When tragedy is that overwhelming, it quickly becomes clear what is most important.

With the horror taking place in Haiti, all I can think of are the children. If adoption fees could be waived, and the 2 year waiting process could be eliminated, just to get those children out of the way of danger and into homes that would care for them, I'd be the first to raise my hand and set an extra place at my table.

In reality, why is this even an impossibility? Ginny at That's Church has visas to get orphans into the country. She just needs a plane.

12 comments:

Molly said...

Becky is gorgeous! and Micah is too cute, like usual.

I'm with you. I know a lot of families who would take these children in. in a heartbeat.

HalfAsstic.com said...

Amen to that, Karen! I would gladly take another child in to help out in a time like this.

Kaytabug said...

Totally agree! Sign me up!

Kimberly Wright said...

Yes, I would like to see this happen. You should consider calling an agency and see if they are working on anything to move for something like this.

imbeingheldhostage said...

I felt the same way with the Tsunami. I just ached for kids who needed arms around them.

Viv said...

That is an amazing idea. I wonder if the politics of that could ever be worked out?

Anonymous said...

I don't think I will ever understand the politics and foot-dragging that goes into placing children in homes where they are wanted so badly. I hope that once the coverage of all the devestation ends we see the coverage of all of the wonderful outcomes the sudden urge to act brought about.

Trisha said...

So many children around the world (and sadly, many in the good ole USA) are in need of good homes but are lost in the "red tape sea." This while policians are "investigating" steroids in baseball and other "important" things.

Cecily R said...

I read that post and haven't lost the lump in my throat since. It makes me wish I knew more people with influence. It makes me want to help more too, and that's the good part.

Karen said...

When we were considering adopting from Haiti when we first looked into adoption. In fact, we never ruled it out. Something else just came forward faster and we knew it was right. For the past year I have considered adopting again and Haiti is as the top of my list. When it comes down to it, adopting our of Haiti is far more reasonably priced than a domestic adoption. I was horrified when a couple my husband works with, told me that their son's domestic adoption fees topped $47,000. Sadly, I am aware that for a "white" baby, those fees were low. I pray that all those children find homes and their hearts heal.

Tara said...

Sign me up! My heart is so burdened to adopt, but the cost is staggering.

Stephanie said...

Your story brought tears to my eyes.

Prayers for Haiti...