Stories of YES #14 - Held

This post was written same time last year, and it still holds true at our five-year anniversary together with our son.

"HELD - we'd only known each other for half of an hour, maybe more, but he'd been held in my heart so much longer. For half of a year, I'd longed to hold him and feel his skin. We'd traveled far to get to him, and he'd traveled far to get to us, and those first moments seem so far gone, yet only four short years ago, I held a physically drained, emotionally spent, and completely passed out little boy in my arms. He was now our beloved son. Thankfully, we were not unfamiliar with a child's ability to "shut down" as a coping mechanism to sheer exhaustion and mental overload. Oh yes, they see photos of their family coming, and that's a beautiful thing, but think about it for a minute - meeting your new parents (and siblings) who speak another language while preparing to say goodbye to EVERYTHING they've EVER known and not knowing what their future holds? That thought alone makes you bone tired, does it not?

We've always asked you to pray for adoptive families, but on this special day when we reflect on holding our son for the first time, will you remember to pray for the children? For their tender hearts and brave souls as they step into unfamiliar territory? Though it may be the best blessing of their lives, they don't yet know that, for they are the ones giving up everything sight unseen to gain a family. They deserve our fervent prayers as they are held. Happy Held Day, JoJo...always and forever.  Love, Mommy" 

- Lisa Murphy