Grandparents and Adoption
Saturday, September 13, 2008
This past week we celebrated Grandparents Day and my mind wandered back to the role that grandparents have played in our family. Words can not begin to language my appreciation to them for how they have loved and supported my two daughters.
I'll never forget that time many years ago when I told my parents that I, at 43, was planning to adopt a baby girl from Russia. Even though our relationship was close and they knew for years my deep longing to be a mother, there concern was obvious. Instead of the grand celebration that often accompanies the announcement of a new arrival, there was fear and anxiety. Now as I look back on it I can understand even better than I could at the time.
Single parenting is never easy and it was certainly not my plan for my life. No, I always envisioned the small cottage with a white picket fence, the loving husband and four bouncy children. But my life did not unfold that way. While in my early forties I surrendered all my hopes and plans and I embraced His Plan for my life whatever that might be. Adoption was clearly His plan from the beginning.
But it stretched not only me but also every member in my family particularly my parents. Etched in my memory is the day when I arrived home at Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC with my seven month old daughter from Russia. As soon as my eyes saw my parents who were then both 70 waving excitedly from the side, I knew that they were grandparents in the real sense of the word.
I placed my precious daughter in the arms of my loving Dad and saw him gaze with a look of sheer adoration into the eyes of his first grandchild. A child like no other. The bond is still very deep between them. And my dear mother giggled and fussed when she saw this long awaited grandchild. Yes, God knew from the very beginning what we all needed. He always does.
So this Grandparents Day we celebrated again their loving care and support in both my girls lives. They have been there...at school events, at birthdays, at holidays and even on the most ordinary days. My girls can count on their grandparents. What a tremendous gift to give a child who has nothing. Yes, the gift of loving grandparents is priceless. I hope your adopted children have grandparents too and that you take the time to celebrate them.
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