Fair warning - for those of you who tear up easily - this may do you in.
I have shared with you that N* and I met with the couple who will adopt N*'s baby after the baby's birth - due date late spring.
We met with them again yesterday for lunch with N*'s older brother and his wife, and today at N*'s OB/GYN appointment. N* was up late Saturday night preparing a card/letter to give the couple. I'm paraphrasing, "Dear New Parents, I know both of us share similar hopes and dreams for this little boy. It took me a long time to appreciate and process this experience. I know there was a reason this was meant to happen for the both of us. The word gratitude does not begin to convey all that I am feeling and want to say. I've edited this letter over and over again, but I guess until there are better words, I will have to say thank you. With sincerity and respect, N*."
No kidding - her words. It took her two hours to make the greeting card and write this letter. I warned the couple when we sat down that there may be tears - so be careful.
After brother and wife left to take their 3 year old home for a nap, we stayed at the restaurant another hour or so, visiting and getting to know one another a little better. They read N*'s card, and got teary eyed. When N* asked the couple what names they were thinking about, they told N* they had not decided on a first name yet - told us the ones they were considering, but they had selected a middle name. It will be the name of N*'s older brother. N* will be able to give the baby a name for the first birth certificate, and then the parents will have the permanent one issued by the state. N* chose her brother's name as the baby's middle name for the first birth certificate. By the time we were ready to leave, N* had asked the woman if she wanted to be in the delivery room with her (woman is in medical field).
Who is this child/young woman, and where has she been for the last six years? When N* told me she was pregnant, I envisioned many months of Hades while she was pregnant, followed by years of even more Hades -- I guess I've learned to prepare for the worst, hold out little hope for something better for so long -- this has all taken me by a very pleasant surprise. I am enjoying this part for as long as it will last.
I have shared with you that N* and I met with the couple who will adopt N*'s baby after the baby's birth - due date late spring.
We met with them again yesterday for lunch with N*'s older brother and his wife, and today at N*'s OB/GYN appointment. N* was up late Saturday night preparing a card/letter to give the couple. I'm paraphrasing, "Dear New Parents, I know both of us share similar hopes and dreams for this little boy. It took me a long time to appreciate and process this experience. I know there was a reason this was meant to happen for the both of us. The word gratitude does not begin to convey all that I am feeling and want to say. I've edited this letter over and over again, but I guess until there are better words, I will have to say thank you. With sincerity and respect, N*."
No kidding - her words. It took her two hours to make the greeting card and write this letter. I warned the couple when we sat down that there may be tears - so be careful.
After brother and wife left to take their 3 year old home for a nap, we stayed at the restaurant another hour or so, visiting and getting to know one another a little better. They read N*'s card, and got teary eyed. When N* asked the couple what names they were thinking about, they told N* they had not decided on a first name yet - told us the ones they were considering, but they had selected a middle name. It will be the name of N*'s older brother. N* will be able to give the baby a name for the first birth certificate, and then the parents will have the permanent one issued by the state. N* chose her brother's name as the baby's middle name for the first birth certificate. By the time we were ready to leave, N* had asked the woman if she wanted to be in the delivery room with her (woman is in medical field).
Who is this child/young woman, and where has she been for the last six years? When N* told me she was pregnant, I envisioned many months of Hades while she was pregnant, followed by years of even more Hades -- I guess I've learned to prepare for the worst, hold out little hope for something better for so long -- this has all taken me by a very pleasant surprise. I am enjoying this part for as long as it will last.
