One Year
Almost exactly one year ago, I was sitting at my desk when the phone rang. It was MHW. Ohel had called. They had a 10-week-old baby girl. They had called a number of certified foster parents but had been unable to find a 'taker'. (Interestingly, as we would later find out, they had even contacted four childless couples). What, MHW wanted to know, did I think?
We discussed the issues for a few minutes. And then I said what I usually say when Ohel approaches us. "Since most of the heavy lifting falls on you, if it's ok with you, it's ok with me." "Good", she said, "cause I already told them yes."
Thus began our amazing journey. A journey that continues today but a journey that has no predictable future (does any?).
The Baby was delivered to our doorstep the next afternoon. For the past year we have raised her as our own. She managed to penetrate into our hearts in no time flat. She has the good fortune of being very cute, funny and engaging. She is an absolute delight who makes us laugh and smile all the time (but would it have mattered; do you love your kids less if they are not funny, cute and engaging?).
Our children have played a major role in her development. They certainly love her no less than they would a biological sister. Like any biological little sister (14 years younger than our youngest), she can, and does, drive them crazy. (It is particularly galling that the Baby prefers to be held by me rather than them even though they spend much more time with her). Nevertheless, they are heroic.
And, of course, the Baby can, and does, ocassionally drive us crazy. Like any baby. We see her developing a pretty formidable temper. And we are so much older. Finding the patience (at least for me) is that much harder. If she wasn't before, MHW has become my hero. She has sacrificed professionally and personally to an extent that is hard to measure. She is moseret nefesh every single day. Every day. MHW has raised the Baby the way she raised our other babies.
But whatever we do, we do with love and gratitude to Hashem for bestowing this gift upon us. We have been blessed.
Hanimtzah Kazeh. Had we been searching we could not have found a treasure such as the Baby.
The hardest part, of course, is not knowing what the future will bring. Of course, we never know what the future will bring but at least we have some control over it. Here, we have virtually no control. The longer we have the Baby, the harder that is to deal with.
More about that next.
Almost exactly one year ago, I was sitting at my desk when the phone rang. It was MHW. Ohel had called. They had a 10-week-old baby girl. They had called a number of certified foster parents but had been unable to find a 'taker'. (Interestingly, as we would later find out, they had even contacted four childless couples). What, MHW wanted to know, did I think?
We discussed the issues for a few minutes. And then I said what I usually say when Ohel approaches us. "Since most of the heavy lifting falls on you, if it's ok with you, it's ok with me." "Good", she said, "cause I already told them yes."
Thus began our amazing journey. A journey that continues today but a journey that has no predictable future (does any?).
The Baby was delivered to our doorstep the next afternoon. For the past year we have raised her as our own. She managed to penetrate into our hearts in no time flat. She has the good fortune of being very cute, funny and engaging. She is an absolute delight who makes us laugh and smile all the time (but would it have mattered; do you love your kids less if they are not funny, cute and engaging?).
Our children have played a major role in her development. They certainly love her no less than they would a biological sister. Like any biological little sister (14 years younger than our youngest), she can, and does, drive them crazy. (It is particularly galling that the Baby prefers to be held by me rather than them even though they spend much more time with her). Nevertheless, they are heroic.
And, of course, the Baby can, and does, ocassionally drive us crazy. Like any baby. We see her developing a pretty formidable temper. And we are so much older. Finding the patience (at least for me) is that much harder. If she wasn't before, MHW has become my hero. She has sacrificed professionally and personally to an extent that is hard to measure. She is moseret nefesh every single day. Every day. MHW has raised the Baby the way she raised our other babies.
But whatever we do, we do with love and gratitude to Hashem for bestowing this gift upon us. We have been blessed.
Hanimtzah Kazeh. Had we been searching we could not have found a treasure such as the Baby.
The hardest part, of course, is not knowing what the future will bring. Of course, we never know what the future will bring but at least we have some control over it. Here, we have virtually no control. The longer we have the Baby, the harder that is to deal with.
More about that next.
Labels: Fostering
posted by MoChassid @ 3:41 PM
1 Comments:
At 6:34 AM,
exsemgirl said…
Kol hakavod.
So few are willing to open their doors to those whom they can help and behave as wonderfully as you describe.
May G-d repay dividends you for your great achievement.
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