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WE'RE HOME
November 1, 2006
| December
2, 2006 |
January 27, 2007 |
March 18, 2007
| September
3, 2007
Monday,
September 3, 2007
We have certainly thought about updating our “journey” - but
sometimes the journey is so busy it’s hard to find a moment or
as someone once said - to see the forest for the trees?
A lot has definitely happened in our world since last report.
Teeth continue to sprout along with hair, along with grand
desire to speak, along with Olympic caliber climbing skills. I
have never doubted Malia’s agility but I never knew how
sprouting wings would completely change such important events
such as nap time and bed time! As more and more words become
discernable, I suspect I will someday wonder why I ever worried
about Malia’s delayed speech! Since Grandma Margaret seems to
understand Malia perfectly - I’m beginning to think it is I who
may be hearing challenged? Never the less, we are scheduled for
a speech consult in the next week.
Our journey has had quite a few paths to race down. In May, we
gathered with family in Okla. City for a family funeral which
introduced Malia to the wild world of cousins - along with
meeting the rest of our immediate family she had not yet had the
opportunity to meet. In spite of the sadness of losing a very
dear woman who has been a special part of my life since I was a
small child - we cherished the time we had in Okla City in May
to celebrate the past, present and future gifts of family!
In June, I made a big decision to leave my work with The
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to return to the health system I
began with almost 20 years. I return to the work I feel quite
passionate about which is Hospice and end of life care. In the
short break between jobs, we journeyed to Uncle Ed and Aunt
Lynn’s home in Florida for a few days of beach and sun therapy!
We returned to celebrate Malia’s Second Birthday - which was her
first birthday in the U.S.
Malia very proudly responds to the question - How old are
you…with her two index fingers close to her face and a sweet
response of TWO (which sounds a lot like SHOE). On Malia’s
birthday - I cried tears of gratefulness for the privilege I
have as Malia’s Mother as well as tears for Malia’s birth
parents, who no doubt will always remember her day of birth as
one of great sacrifice and wonder.
July was an intense month of transition with the new job as well
as grieving the death of one who was like family - Ed Taylor. We
had the opportunity to be with all the Taylor clan on New Year’s
Eve as we celebrated Ed and Margaret’s 50th wedding anniversary.
Becky and her son Gicacomo stayed for an extended visit before
returning to Italy a few weeks ago. We will all miss Ed more
than words could ever say - but he has left family and friends a
lot of wonderful memories as well as a legacy of a life well
lived!
We also said goodbye to our beloved friends - Bill and Pat
Nottingham who after a gillion years in Indy - decided to move
to Colorado? Very bittersweet for me - I marvel at their spirit
to start a new - but selfishly will miss them = A LOT!~ It is
Bill who opened my world to Asia in 1983 and it is Pat who help
me finally plant roots in our current home twelve years ago!
At Malia’s age - I suppose most things are “firsts” and she has
yet to develop a fearful or resistful spirit with regards to
trying anything new. Her absolute love among all else is WATER.
So, when she went on her first sailing adventure - she could not
have been more impressed~ The child definitely has sailor legs
and a zest for the wind and water combo.
I am one of those people who reflects on special days - and as
we embraced the first anniversary of August 28th - I am more
than a bit nostalgic. On August 28, 2006 at approximately 11:00
a.m. - I received the call with Malia’s referral and from that
moment on - her life became truly real to me! In some ways, I
feel as though I have lived a life time since last August 28th -
in other ways, it feels as though it was perhaps only a month
ago! Time does fly - especially when you have a healthy,
thriving toddler…who also has wings to carry you along to new
and daring heights!
We are eagerly anticipating the reunion of our travel group in
October for the anniversary of our first
“gotcha” day. All but one family will be with us here in Indy -
needless to say, we can’t wait to see all the “sisters”.
I am not sure how I would/could really describe what the last
year has meant to me. There are some moments when I feel as
though I’m on a runaway train - there are other moments when I
hold Malia, that make me feel as though all the world has come
to a screeching halt and nothing could matter any more to me
than the moment and the life of this precious child I hold. |
Happy Trails Pat and Bill~
I'm TWO!
My first wedding...Congrats Amy and Chris
I want to grow like the Bamboo - strong yet flexibile..
I do love the sun and WATER
Future Indy Race Car Driver? |
There has
definitely been a reordering of the universe in this little
corner of the world. A total reordering of priorities, of
thoughts, of feelings, of concerns - of Joys!
Not being able to see the forest for the trees has meant that we
are totally enveloped with all the nuances of the forest - and
at least one of us is having to learn how to enjoy looking at
and embracing the bark of those trees while trying to not worry
so much about what lays on the other side of the next clump of
trees!
So, as the Journey OF Malia continues - we are more than a
little grateful for those near and far who dare to share so much
of their love with us! Maybe it’s a giggling bunny, maybe it’s a
walk on the beach, maybe it’s a meal, maybe it’s a bag of
homegrown tomatoes (Malia’s favorite food), maybe it’s picking
Malia up from daycare or offering to provide safe haven when Mom
is on call or..the list does go on and on..It does take a
village to raise a child..and Thank God for the Village!
YES, the journey continues…and as Fr. Tom would say ..it is =
ALL ABOUT GRACE! I suppose in my more stressful moments, I try
to remember that simple yet serious thought or conviction….
amidst the chaos of the forest! I yearn for us both to grow as
the bamboo grows - strong yet flexible!
Be well - enjoy the forest and the trees and don’t forget to
see, hear, feel, taste the bark..as that is no doubt where you
will know the depths of grace!
Barb and Malia |
Web site by
myadoptionwebsite.com
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