Increasing the Energy, Stopping the Drains
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Well it's only a two weeks until Christmas. My girls have been busy with secret whispering back and forth. Even this morning at the table one of them said, "Remember ..."
I felt the other one give a kick under the table. "Remember what I asked," pretending to be oblivious to what was going on. They giggled and gave each other a glare.
What fun to see them working together. It wasn't always this way. No, there were Christmases which were more about just maintaining family equilibrium than about planning surprises for others. That was a time when we needed to focus on what was most important and leave the rest for future years.
Maybe you have recently adopted a child. Your child is still getting used to you and you are still getting comfortable with them. This is not a year to try to do all those little extras. Remembering a few tips will help this holiday season to be one which is filled with peaceful memories.
List and prioritize what activities you and your family will do this year. Give your self permission to trim and cut back on gift giving, parties, plays, etc.
Focus. Focus. Focus. It is wiser to do and be grateful for what you can do than place more pressure on yourself and others to do more. Less is always best. Simpler is always wiser. Although it means going against the norm of our society you will be blessed in having peace of mind and serenity in your family.
Laugh, sing and make time to play with you children. Last night my seven year old and I played checkers. My list of things I needed to do was pushed aside to spend time with her. Those things will somehow get done but I will never again have that evening with her. Thank you, Jenny, for asking me to play.
Yes, planning, focusing and playing help to increase our energy. Next time I will share some thoughts about stopping those drains to our energy reserves. May your day be filled with His Peace as you prepare.
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Welcome to Heartprints!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
For a long time I have mused about having a blog where I could not only share my thoughts and insights about adoption but where I could also read your comments. Finally that day has come.
Heartprints Adoption is a blog where you will learn and also be inspired. It is your blog so feel free to participate. Your thoughts do matter!
Years ago I read a simple poem. Although I can't remember much of it I can still see those two line...' Oh please where ever I go today..help me to leave heartprints'. I pictured people going around leaving beautiful heartprints of compassion and understanding and love on each others lives.
My experience of adoption which began more than fourteen years ago has given me countless opportunities to leave heartprints on the lives of two precious girls who are now fourteen and seven years old. I will be writing more about them in the days to come. They are the joys of my life. My jewels.
They were both adopted from Russia at different times. Although their stories are unique there are also many common threads. From the moment I gazed at their pictures my heart was deeply moved. In both cases I knew my child.
I longed for the day I would hold them in my arms. I found myself pulling out the tiny picture again and again to memorize their features. Even as I gazed deeply into the photo their life was making heartprints on mine. They are forever heartprints which have changed my life.
How has adoption changed your life? Your child is leaving heartprints all over you. Precious touches which I know you cherish too.
Pay attention today to the heartprints which you are leaving. Sense the heartprints that are being made on the life of your child. Those heartprints will last much longer than you and I. They will live on in your child forever. Sometimes all it takes is a fresh perspective to change an ordinary day.
May today be your day of leaving heartprints wherever you go.
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