So tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and we have so much to be thankful for. What a year it has been. We are thankful for it, it has been special, the highs mixed with the lows. One year ago, the kids insisted that we set an extra place setting for Verlande as we thought she would be here for Thanksgiving this year. I'm not sure if they remember that or not, or if they will suggest the same thing tomorrow.
We can summarize this past year with a mix of ups and downs... but as long as Verlande ends up happy, healthy and home, any downs are so worth it!
It is so essential that I keep this forefront in my mind- that I should at any time expect a rollercoaster to surprise me. This past month, we had some extreme disappointments. I won't even get into them. I wonder so often if I should just never share any news because it is so "roller-coaster-esque"..... but I need to. I need to lean on friends and sometimes be reminded to have faith. Our disappointment this month was fairly extreme becuase we found out that not only had no progress been made, but none had been attempted. Long story, but that to me is unfathomable, unexcusable. But along this down, I am so thankful to have had friends to rely on..... friends who I called immediately to ask if I could talk with them/see them, friends long distance who helped me find information and brainstorm ways to find out more information to make sure we are on an okay path. Thank you. This month leaves us with a sense of hope as all documents are available, now there are apparently 3 that have errors that need fixing, BUT... that can be done, and we think it will be done and legalized in Haiti before the end of December... It is my "goal" to enter IBESR by the end of December (or earlier)... but I shouldn't really think of it as a goal because we really also thought that may happen by May of this year. Again, I have to learn patience and live with an altered perspective than one I ever thought I would have!
More on thankfulness.
I have extreme gratitude for so many who have literally MADE THIS HAPPEN for us and Verlande by donating to our dream. Thank you for your support, your friendship, your confidence, your beliefs. Thank you for opening up my world to feeling like I have a TEAM, a FAMILY that is truly behind us for our beautiful girl Verlande.
I am so thankful for so many of our Sunday Skype sessions w/Verlande. To see her smile warms us, to hear her singing songs to us, speaking english, sharing her sad days and blank stares when she feels sad allows us into her life and her reality. We are thankful to see her excitement at starting school, to hear her say I love you Mommy, I love you Daddy, I love you Phoebe and Forrest is truly amazing to me. We are overall so thankful for her to be in our family already, even if from afar.
I'm so thankful for the words, cards, phone calls, emails from so many of you who have proactively asked about Verlande and how we are. Thank you for knowing that even if I don't bring it up, I of course want to talk about Verlande and how awesome we think she is, and for how much it helps to share.
I'm so thankful for Ryan who has been with me on this journey. There have been times, naturally, in trying to figure out what we need to do, what we can do, what we should do, that we have struggled together, but I am so thankful that we are strong. I'm so thankful to Phoebe and Forrest who on their own during their "thankful prayer" at night, pray for Verlande, say they are thankful for Verlande, for seeing her, etc. I'm thankful to Phoebe for being an amazing sister already and always setting aside so many of her things for Verlande- toys and clothes and books.
I'm thankful for the assurance of knowing I have friends and family by our side. I have never felt so supported and loved. I am inspired, thankful, and in awe.
