Our Children

Well, Mike and I got another set of pictures and letters sent out for our childrens' families in Liberia. A friend of ours is going over for a crusade in a couple of weeks. As I was getting the pictures ready and writing the letters, many things came over me. I looked at the pictures I was sending and just thought, "What will their birth parents think when they see these pictures?" I wonder if they can see how happy the children are, or that they are being well cared for, or most of all, if they can tell just how much we love them? I really think that they do. I know that our son's birthfather knows that we love Thomas very much (as we have had contact with him in the year and a half that we have had Thomas). I also know that he appreciates when we send pictures. I try to send them whenever I know of someone going over. I know that many people think that it is a little odd that we have an "open adoption" with our children's birth family in Africa, but it works for us. I mean that is the least that I can do is to send pictures to let them see that our child is doing well, that they are smiling, healthy, safe and loved. Maybe by sending these pictures it will ease that ache in their heart that I am sure is always there, it may help to reassure them that they did the right thing. Their is a special feeling in our hearts for our children's birth families. I was very fortunate that I was able to meet and spend time with both of our childrens' birth families. When I seen them it was like we held a special bond that was between us that no one else had. Almost like an unspoken connection. I seen Thomas' father look at his pictures and smile at how he was growing, but also a saddness to what he is missing. I also seen Josephine's birth mom hold her and pray for her before she let go, she prayed that God would keep her safe from any harm. I seen her look at her and know that this is what she truly wanted for Josephine, but also the saddness that any mother would feel in this situation. I seen two parents be so brave to put their own feelings aside to put their child's well-being and safety first. Two parents who sacrificed so that their children would not want for food, education, safety and health and have a chance at life. With that being said, how could I not keep in contact to let them know that the choice they made was right. I truly feel that these parents are part of our family. When I seen Thomas' birth father, I couldn't shake hands with him, I hugged him (just as I did with Josephine's birth mother), because a bond for a little child joined us together as family. A bond God wove together. I feel that we are picking up where these parents left off. We have an unspoken bond that only parents can have. Granted not everyone can have this with their children's birth family, as I know situations are different, but I feel very blessed to have this with both of our children's families. We are very open with our children and teach them to love and respect their birth families, as they gave a great sacrifice. When I write the letters, there is so much I want to say, from how well our child is doing to thank you for the sacrifice, to our child will always know what you gave up for them and why. I will always do my best to keep this contact as I feel that it is not only best for our children but also good for all involved. I try to put myself in their shoes and just to see some pictures or hear how the child is doing, would put my heart at some ease and that is the least I can do. I don't see our child as mine or theirs, I see our children as just that, "Our Children" (all of us together).