There were the days of waiting for a referral, the days of waiting for a ruling, the days of waiting for travel dates. Ugghhhh. . .some of those days were not good. Some were outright miserable. I remember the day I got the call to travel - you'd think since the wait was nearly over, that this day would be full of joy. . .it sucked. I found out I'd miss Gracyn's birthday by just a few days. (Not to mention that meant paying for unexpected airfare for a seat what was never used! Gracyn slept on my Dad the whole way home.)
But you know what, all of those days were shared with friends. And those days are just as much a part of the journey. I will always cherish those days, but I look forward to the days ahead. I want to continue on this journey, and I want to journey with you. You are the ones who know what a paperchase is, the difference between a first and a second ruling, how desperately we depend on those e-mails with subject line: "Update," and better yet, an e-mail with a paperclip which means you're getting photos. You are the ones who know that you can love someone before you even meet them. That the journey isn't all perfect and rosy, but that the journey is ours, and ours to share with each other.
So, here's to old friends, and new friends, friends who are waiting for a referral, friends who are waiting to travel, friends who are struggling at home with their first days of bonding, friends who are home and are barely blogging just to keep up with life. Let's Journey On!. . . That's why Taiwan ROCks.
SEE Y'ALL IN TEXAS on AUGUST 12-14th for the first TAIWAN ROCks Family Reunion!!! Don't miss it. . .You just can't miss it!!! You wouldn't want to miss it!!
10 comments:
okay, I may have to sneak off to Dallas that weekend to pop by and say HI!!! Your family is looking so healthy and happy!
You make me wish I lived in Texas. We in process with Taiwan, our daughter is 8 years old and we hope to travel soon. Your post spoke of the journey eloquently.
I would never be able to make it through this journey without blogging!! My support system and circle of friends that I have made through blogging and adoption simply put...ROCks!!!
Our dream os really happening, and I wouldn't want to plan it with anyone other than the group of awesome mommies we haw working:)
Can't wait for Aug!!!!
I was pretty much a lurker during my journey. I felt that if I put it all out there for the world to see, I would jinx my chances to finally seeing my little one's face. Your blogs kept me sane and you were my support through some rough times.
I'm so glad I took the chance and opened up to such wonderful people. So glad that I made friends with you and many other wonderful Taiwan mamas. Very excited to be meeting all of you in Dallas and one day soon Lexie and Addi can finally meet and compare their lack of hair!! Well, maybe by then, they will have some!
you know it, girl. this post rocks. :)
Oh, you're making me rethink going for another baby, but this time from Taiwan... ;o)
I am beyond excited that the woman on the other end of that IM in the middle of the night, I will FINALLY MEET HER face to face! The one I ALMOST got toe meet IN Taiwan but missed it by days. The one who has been a faitful friend for these years now! :) On top of that there are TONS more folks I followed along the journey before and after ours tha tI get to meet! I can't wait for NOah to see all th ekids! We saw a family in target yesterday with an asian boy and Noah stared forever! He almost fell out of the buggy tryin to watch them around a corner! LOL I have a feeing weekend is NOT goin to be enough :( but it is a HUGE blessing. Thanks to YOU and the other organizers! YALL ROCK!
I have such mixed feelings, 'cause I'm not a Taiwan mommy, but I kind of feel like an honorary member. We happily have a perfect fit with our amazing daughter from India. BUT, all of my adoption buddies that were with me for the longest haul (the initial 2 1/2 years of papers and wait) are from the Taiwan days of our journey (when we actually believed that a referral would come from St. Lucy's!). Everyone from our India side of things just became part of our adoption "family" at the end there! :-) You all ROCk and I hope we get to meet up some day. Your gathering is going to be fantastic!
They are growing up so fast!! Your children are just beautiful. And yes, the big brothers to little sisters are awesome and take to their role with a responsibility that amazes me sometimes.
We had a Yahoo group called the Sweet Peas for August 2004 DTC and many of us still get together! It's so much fun and having extended family across the US with the same story is wonderful!
Thanks for the comments on my blog!
Can you email me privately? thorvet@hotmail.com Thanks!
Teresa
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