Guilt and Waiting

I must admit I have been wanting to post quite a few different things for the last week or so but besides being busy getting ready to travel :)) I have also been dealing with much guilt since there are SO many families that are waiting. Some longer than us, in different stages, for different reasons, but I still find it difficult to share my news/excitement. So I have just not been posting or emailing.

But I enjoy posting and emailing. I want to share this process with many people.

The waiting is hard. No, I mean really hard. HARD.

I do get the "worth it in the end" statements. I realize it is often said because who knows what else to say. "Hang in there", "it will happen", "you're so close"......all very kind sentiments, meant in the nicest way from very nice people. But I don't offer them any more when I commiserate with a fellow adoptive parent. It is awkward at the end of an email, so I know WHY people use those "lines". I just chose not to as I know what it feels like to be on the other side. I am not bothered by people who do, I truly know they mean well. I want it to be different from me, an acknowledgment that I understand, I understand.

I am not one of those parents who forgets the wait. Granted the wait for my daughter* 8 years ago isn't what it was at that time, but I don't feel it "went away". It is part of her story. It is part of my labor. It is a part of what I had to go through for the privilege of being her mother.

So I will tell all my fellow waiters.....I DO understand. I will do one thing for you without fail, I will PRAY for you, your family and your child who is waiting JUST FOR YOU. I will wait with you, cry with you, be angry with you and rejoice with you.

Just tell me where you are in the process and I'll meet you there.


*The same goes for my sons!