Unexpected Joy

This April, 37 years ago, the day began as a normal one . . . heavily in the throes of tax season, getting ready for some meetings, and taking care of things for my father as my mother had passed away not quite two weeks earlier. Then at 9:00 am, the phone rang, and news that our baby girl was here was on the other end of the line. It was Mrs. Stafford, our Gladney Caseworker and "the very most important person in our lives.” In our minds and those of many of our friends, she held the key for our future as a family. Now having years of history with Gladney, I know Mrs. Stafford and many other very wise professionals were part of a very educated, emotional plan for the creation of our family and, needless to say, a plan for our children’s' birth mothers.

It was now about 10:00 am. I had laundered the gown I had purchased for this baby and was ironing it for some crazy reason - would she ever notice? Probably not. The doorbell rang, and it was a precious friend, bringing me flowers to lift my heart for missing my mother. She was greeted instead with huge tears of joy because our daughter Claire was now here!
The point of sharing this with you today is to say that life has joys at the most unexpected times. My heart was beyond low as was my Daddy's, but oh my, look at the gift our family was given with our precious Gladney Baby. In this time of total grief, anxiousness, fright, sadness, and wanting to be in control of the unknown, we all must hold on to the joy of family and the belief that love and care will supersede all obstacles.

If you are still on your adoption journey and awaiting that treasured phone call, please know this – it will come in its perfect time.