Nearly two years ago, we began the journey to our daughter,
Avelyn Grace. Adoption was something we had talked about many times in
our married life. We'd seen the miracle of adoption in our own family and the
lives of our friends. As is the case so many times in life though, it's the
greatest of tragedies that can inspire us, help us sharpen our focus on what's
truly important. In 2009, our seven year old son passed away from cancer. A
devastating loss, one we will live with for the rest of our lives. Our son
lived with such courage and grace. Always giving love, always laughing despite
his incredible struggle. Always choosing hope. It was his and our other
children's courage during and after that time that really inspired us to listen
to the path and plan that we believe was placed in our hearts by God; to have courage
ourselves. So in 2011, what was once wistful thoughts about adoption shared
between us, grew. A seed, a dream, a
prayer took root.
Our journey through adoption was not easy. We faced many
of the typical and not so typical bumps in the road. Our first glimpse of our
daughter came via Rainbow Kids. Pursuing her adoption meant switching agencies,
meant taking very little time to review her file before Avelyn's scheduled
return to the shared list just days later. But remarkably, even before we were fully
able to view her file, we just knew. This was our girl! The one we had read
books and blogs for, completed endless paperwork for. But more than any of
that, she was the one we had been praying for. Now a beautiful and perfect face
to put to the love we already had in our hearts. A little person all her own
whose place was already so firmly a part of our family.
Many believe that when a family adopts they have somehow
done this noble thing. But ask anyone who has adopted and they will tell you
it's their child who has brought so much to them. Brought their own gifts,
their own story. Brought lessons and blessing in every challenge and triumph,
unique to adoption or not. Their child's story is oftentimes, in part, one of
loss and grief but it's also one of remarkable perseverance, filled with love,
courage and hope. It's a story that our
daughter will tell and define for herself one day far more eloquently and
filled with her own truth than I ever could.
Now after the many long months of waiting are over, a
month after our first meeting in a hotel lobby in China, our precious Avelyn
sits playing contentedly with her toys while her Mama writes these words.
Sweet natured, quick with smiles, hugs and love, she has
filled up our house with her little light. We are so grateful for her. To call
her granddaughter, niece,sister, daughter..forever family. She is truly a
little but very BIG dream come true~
For read more about the Reilly family's journey through adoption visit: http://thelifeofreillys.wordpress.com/
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