Adoption Life Books

They each have a story, a verse, sweet memories and obstacles that have been overcome.  Love, loss, firsts, birthday parties, a Daddy in Iraq, a nanny, giggles, trauma, a home, an orphanage, a sister and a family.  Our hope is that someday they'll see God's hand on their lives and His great heart for them.  For Christmas this year,

life books were the main gift. 

The experts tell you to make a life book for an adopted child.  Their story in print can bring healing, awareness and comfort.  Lots of facts and saturated with lots of love.  And so, we set out to put in print Claire's first two years. 

Some words came easily... 
You grew in your birth mother's belly. 
If you wonder what your birth parents look like, you can look in the mirror.  They probably have dark hair and eyes like you.
You weren't with us, but we had cupcakes for your first birthday.
We dreamed of you and prayed for you.
All the people who love you helped create a special quilt for you.

Some words were typed and then retyped. 
Tears fell, and I asked God to protect her.  To make her strong and so filled with faith that she can embrace her story.

As I reflected on her first two years of life, I was blessed all over again. The creation of this book became an act of gratitude.  Grateful for the tiny handful of pictures we have of a life before us.  Grateful for her care.  Grateful for her life.   
 

Her book is her book.  For now, she thumbs through the pages with a big smile, unaware of the weight of each page.  Our hope is that the reading of this book will make her story simply part of our larger story.  Nothing a secret.  No words unmentionable.  When she is older, she can share it, or choose not to.   It includes everything we know about her life, and images of what we were doing at home as we waited. 

Each daughter's story has value, so this sweet girl got a life book too. 

Hers is the hospital story, the first bath, a spaghetti face photo, a first birthday, and a Daddy who left to serve. 

The night that we gave Sophia her book will always rank among my favorite Christmas memories.  She saw the cover and beamed with appreciation.  As she carefully turned each page, her smile widened.  Family stories we shared and retold.  Each picture was studied and each word memorized. 

She now sleeps with her book.  It is read at least once a day, and is looked through many more.  Nobody comes to the house without reading it, and each person is told the exact extra details and comments shared with her in that first reading. 

Best gift ever.


She glances at the photo, and the pilot light of memory flickers in her eyes.

~Frank Deford