A Child of the Heart

I used to do charity work at various orphanages when I was younger. I always got the utmost fulfillment when I see their eyes glowing in gratitude at the sight of me – a stranger, willing to share a bit of her time, a piece of her heart, and two loving arms for even just a fleeting embrace. Knowing that the children are cared for at the orphanage somehow eases some of the heaviness in my heart… I knew for a fact that for every child housed by an institution or foster home, six children are physically and emotionally abandoned, deprived, devastated, or alone. And although I tried to give them as much love as my little heart could muster, it felt cruel to leave them with any promise of hope. And so, with every goodbye at the end of the day I have always wished I had the means to do more.

And so, for me, adoption is definitely an option, almost a wish, whether or not I’ll have kids of my own. I carried this decision even until I got married. Yes, I have been fortunate to have a hubby who shares this belief, and I think God made that so. We want to be instrumental in loving, in giving hope, in sharing our blessings, and in making a difference to even at least one child in the world.

Not a lot of people will share this idea, I know, but we all have our reasons and we all have our missions. Hubby and I just feel that this is ours. We are thankful to God that He gave us a daughter, Ninna, because it makes this mission even clearer: we would like to adopt not because we need to, but because we choose to.

But of course, just like having a biological child, we want to do it responsibly, making sure we are both emotionally and financially ready to take on this task. Also, we want Ninna to be ready as well. We want to make sure that she is secure, she understands, and she is willing to open her heart and the doors of our family for a new member.

Until then, I can’t wait until I sing one song to all of my children, whether they are the fruits of my womb or of my heart.

Baby mine, don’t you cry.
Baby mine, dry your eyes.
Rest your head close to my heart,
Never to part, baby of mine.Little one, when you play
Pay no heed what they say.
Let your eyes sparkle and shine,
Never a tear, baby of mine.