Thoughtful Thursday: Thankgsiving 2011

Eight years ago, we celebrated the fact that our now-daughter, S, had finally rejoined her brothers in foster care under our roof.  She moved in with our family on November 13, 2003, and though we did not know it at the time, she was to become ours just three years later.  The wait was eternal for an impatient mama-to-be like me, but in retrospect, I'm so thankful for the time we spent fostering our children (and others) and the relationships we built with each of them.

These past eight years have gone by in a blink, really.  Some days seem a little longer than others for the trials they contain, sure; but overall, time has just flown by as our children grow. 


I'm starting to notice things that our social worker once told me I'd notice (she had also adopted her son).  Like how when I hear other people talking about their pregnancies and deliveries, it takes me a second to remember that I wasn't there for our children's birth.  I know these kids so well now, that I can almost fool myself into thinking I've been there since conception and birth.  Not quite -- because I know -- but yeah, she was right, it does seem that someone who knows them so well should have been there.  And so I ponder that for a fleeting moment before remembering that I was not.

Our Thanksgiving craft - even my mom got involved and made one for fun!

I am thankful for our son, O, for his sweet moments like the other day when I was calling him from upstairs and he said, "Mama, lean over (the railing) so I can see your beautiful face!" And for his stubbornness, because my hope is that one day, it will serve him well when tempered with maturity. 

I am thankful for our daughter, J, for the joy she is and brings to my life.  Especially when she's at her messiest and craftiest and I can't see the carpet anymore for the paper clippings covering it, I just appreciate her generosity and creativity so much.  And for her depth of character -- every day is a new adventure getting to know her as a person.

I am thankful for our son, Z, because of his wonderful sense of humor and timing, for his delightful personality (putting temper tantrums aside) and his incredible energy.  He's such a cool person and I feel so blessed that he's not only part of my life, but he is our son!  How did I ever get so lucky?

I am thankful for our son, H.  He challenges me to become a better mother every day; this is sometimes hard, but extremely beneficial.  He is a friend to people who have few friends and while he is incredibly comfortable with showing his less glowing personality traits here at home, I don't worry about sending him to a friend's house because all their parents tell me how wonderful and polite and kind he is when he visits.  He goes into the world and represents our family well.  He is our ambassador.

I am thankful for our daughter, S.  Our relationship continues to grow deep and wide and though I'll always miss her first eight years of life, these past eight have been the most meaningful for me.  I just can't believe I could grow to love someone as much as I love her, in spite of everything.  She is an amazing person in the making and I can hardly wait to see her impact on the world when she enters it as an adult in the not too distant future.  She is my compassion role-model and I hope that one day, I can grow up to be more like her in the way she just truly cares about others.

I am thankful for my parents, my sisters, my nieces and my in-laws.  They have been such a treasure for me.  They have molded me into the person I am today and continue to mold me and inspire me with their lives.  I am thankful for my extended family -- uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents -- they have taught me what family is about.

I am thankful for the friends who have stood by me through the most difficult times and who made all the celebrations of life that much richer and better!  They are what keep me going and filled up enough to do each day. I love them!! (Especially you, P-family, S-family, L-family and S/W-family.  You know who you are.)

I am so thankful for my husband, C, who has grown with me over the past 19-1/2 years and who constantly leads this family with a nobility unmatched by any royal family.  His patience and grace astound me sometimes.  His goodness and love of family are incredible.  His desire to love the Lord with everything he does amazes me -- and yet, he is so real, funny, down-to-earth and human.  I am thankful for all he does for this family and our community, but I am especially thankful for the man he is.

Most of all, I am thankful for Jesus Christ.  I was blind, but now I see.  You saved me.  I am nothing without You who gave me life, who gave me a family and people who love me.  Thank you for your forgiveness (I'll probably require lots more ... but I'm trying!) and grace and mercy and most of all, love.  I feel it.  I know it.  I am blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving.