A Rare Blessing

One of the great blessings in our lives is a special relationship that we are realizing more and more is very rare. It is with a 19 year old young lady and her family, who two years ago, we did not even know existed. It's not rare because she's 19, we have several friends who are sophomores in college. It's not rare because she goes to UofH, although, at the moment, we don't know anyone else who attends there. It's not even rare because her family is originally from Nigeria, although we're growing to love the added bonus that is in our relationship (homemade Nigerian stew is very Yummy!). It's rare because Jessica is the birthmother of our youngest son, Jeremiah. Almost two years ago, Jessica showed more love than most of us can imagine, by choosing David, Samuel & I to be the "Forever Family" of a very precious little boy named Jeremiah.

At the time we didn't know what the relationship would look like with Jessica and her family. But over the past two years, Jessica, Vivian & Tony (her parents), Jovita and T-bo (her siblings) have become inextricably woven into the fabric of our lives. They have stayed in our home, we talk on all the important family holidays (birthdays, Christmas, etc.), we email pictures, we check on each other when things seem a bit scary (i.e. when Houston was evacuated because of Hurricane Rita) and when we just want to see how each other is doing.

Since we adopted Jeremiah last year, we have met others who have adopted or are about to adopt, and none of them have the relationship with their child's birthfamily that we do. I feel sorry for them, because it has become so precious to us.

Who knows where this relationship will go in the future. Our prayer is that it will remain strong and that it will be a blessing to us, to them and especially to Jeremiah as he grows up knowing that he is loved by so many people.

If you read this blog and you are interested in talking about Open Adoption, please do not hesitate to ask. We are advocates, although I'm sure it's not right in all situations. But for the Parks and Jessica, it has been a great blessing. We thank God for you Jessica! Jeremiah will never doubt how much you love him.

P.S. It has been brought to my attention that in my previous post, I grossly overlooked the presence of Samuel's four grandparents (Grandma, Grandpa, Nana & Pop), as well as his Aunt Kristi, at his Balloon Party. For that I deeply, and humbly apologize. It was not in any way intentional. I do believe, however, that they wanted to be recognized not for the gifts, or the long drive they all made to be here, but because of the enormous amounts of hot air each of them put into the innumerable balloons that were part of the festivities. Thanks to all of you for attending and for sharing in the joy of celebrating Samuel's 6th Birthday. He wouldn't be here without each of you. :)