November 16, 2010

Do you really want to know?

Because we wanted to be parents.
Because there are children who don’t have anyone to snuggle with them in bed on a cold winter morning.
Because we ourselves were adopted into God’s family.
Because no child should spend a birthday without their existence on this earth being celebrated and cherished.
Because every child should have someone that will come running in the middle of the night to hug them when they had a nightmare.
Because every utterance of mama or daddy should be answered to by a loving parent.
Because there are tears to be wiped and booboos to be kissed.
Because God places the fatherless in families (and the childless too!)
Because we were meant for each other.
Because those are our children, unequivocally.
Because we had too much love for just two people.
Because we were obedient and God is faithful.
Because we cannot imagine our life without them.
Because we needed to be more than Matt and Gaby.
Because we had laughter to share, knowledge to impart, and stories to tell.
Because families are made up of more than shared DNA.
Because there are many ways to build a family.
Because God told us to.
Because we got a call about a little girl who needed a mom and a dad and we had empty arms and a ready heart.
Because we got a call about a little boy who had a sister who had a mom and dad, who had their arms full but not full enough and still a ready heart.
Because love...

26 comments:

Unknown said...

So many reasons we should, yet so many questions why. You are right though. Love.

Amy said...

My Friend, what a lovely discovery - your blog! You are a tremendously thoughtful writer. I am planning on following along now. If you're ever back in KC we must somehow plan a mini-reunion with everyone!

Gaby said...

Yes, Heather, I'm sure you can add a few more reasons of your own!
Amy, how wonderful to hear from you! I read all your posts. They are beautiful! I hope to see you next summer then.

Kat said...

My husband and I are in the last stages of our international and interracial adoption of two siblings from Russia. This post was shared with me by a friend in ministry. It came at the perfect time. From one adoptive family blogger to another, thank you for sharing your heart.

Gaby said...

Kat, congratulations on your journey! I pray that you will have your babies in your arms soon. I bet you, also, have a few reasons to add to this list. I'm glad it encouraged you.

@jencull (jen) said...

Close friends of mine are in the final stages of adopting and I am so excited for them. Never once would it have dawned on me to ask them 'Why?'. To me it is absolutely perfect that they go this route because then they will get to experience the joy children can bring. Of course they want that. Am I wrong to assume? I don't think so, they will be amazing parents :)I must show them this post, they will nod the whole way through, I know they will:) This is lovely, thank you for sharing:) Jen (ICLW 114)

Gaby said...

Hi, Jen, thank you for stopping by! I guess the questions came about why we wanted to adopt rather than pursue all the possible fertility procedures available. I hope this encourages your friends!

christine said...

I love this and I love your blog description! I'm sure all those reasons are why my nephews were adopted by my sister and brother in law.

ICLW #124

Gaby said...

Thank you for stopping by Christine. These, I think, are but a handful of reasons! Each story is unique and I bet your sister and BIL have several others I forgot to mention.

Jennifer said...

Beautiful post, Gaby. I think this list gives reasons that ALL families should consider adoption, whether or not they are struggling with infertility. Thanks for sharing!

Gaby said...

Thank you, Jennifer. It is a blessed experience for sure! But I'm biased :)

Deborah said...

Here from ICLW - Beautiful post. My family is also multiracial and multilingual (although not adoptive), so I plan to keep checking in on you and your family here.

nh said...

That's absolutely gorgeous. I'm so glad that I clicked across to your blog.
Happy ICLW

Gaby said...

Hi, Deborah. Thank you for stopping by! I went to your blog and I have to say we seem to have lots of common. Nice to meet you!

Thanks, NH! Happy ICLW as well!

Lori Lavender Luz said...

What a loving list, Gaby. I especially like the ones about boo-boos and cuddles.

Thanks so much for the very kind comment you left on my blog today. It's wonderful to meet you through ICLW!

Encantada,
Lori

ICLW #68

Gaby said...

Hi, Lori. Nice to meet you as well. You have an amazing blog!

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderful post. I esp. love because we had too much love for just 2 people. Thanks for visiting. don't be a stranger.
ICLW

Gaby said...

Hi, Erica. Thank you for coming by. I will be sure to check on you!

Katie said...

Hi there. Visiting from ICLW :) Beautiful post and very well put.

MoonNStarMommy said...

Amazing post and so true..thank you for sharing.. It doesn't matter how much DNA you share it has to do with how much love you can give them....Happy ICLW and have a blessed Thanksgiving

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderful, heartfelt post.

Even though I have no direct experience of adoption, everything I hear / read about it moves me to tears. Possibly this reaction is summed up by your words here: "families are made up of more than shared DNA" - this is so true in so many ways.

Happy ICLW, and all the best to you and your family!

Gaby said...

Hi to Katherine, Moon, and Kate. Sorry I can't reply to each individually. I don't know blogspot has that capability, but if it does, please tell me how! Thank you for stopping by. Happy ICLW and Thanksgiving to you all!

Anonymous said...

Here from ICLW :) Beautiful post- made me cry. Sending prayers and best wishes for continued grace.

Kristen said...

Great post - we are asked all the time "why?" and so many of our answers mirror yours. I know without a doubt that adoption was the way we were meant to form our family and love reading others' adoption stories.

Thanks for stopping by my blog (I Spy a Family).

Autism Mom Rising said...

Happy icwl. What a wonderful world! How fantasic that your kids get to grow up and see this.....better yet - they get to live it.

Gaby said...

Thank you for stopping by, Randi, Kristen, and Autism Mom! And happy ICWL to you all.