Wednesday, June 26, 2013

In stone

I recently received an email from our friend, Belen, to inform us that her family has dedicated a memorial brick in Daniel's name in a very special place. The brick will be placed in Madison's Walkway in Keller, TX, where her family moved last year.


This loving gesture meant so much to us. Especially given our history with her family.  You see, Belen's parents, Olimpia and Luis, have lived across the street from us since we moved into the neighborhood in 1998. They watched Jimmy and me live happily, sans children, for plenty of years, and they completely rejoiced at the news that we were starting a family. They fell in love with our little Madi as soon as she arrived home, and they celebrated with us as she blossomed. Papa Luis was always intrigued and impressed by Madi's industrious ways, as he watched our little toddler haul heavy palm fronds to the garbage heap on Thursday afternoons. He truly adored her and admired her tenacity for a little tyke.

And then we made the decision to add to our family. Nana Olimpia and Papa Luis also fell in love with Daniel instantly, and recognized something special within him. Papa Luis saw him as a fighter, given his serious medical condition, which always accompanied by a positive attitude. Papa would light up whenever he saw Daniel charge across the street for a visit with a big smile on his face.

During that time, Papa Luis was diagnosed with cancer, and we slowly watched his physical condition decline over the months to come. It was clear he was in pain much of the time, but his demeanor never failed to brighten in the presence of the children.

When Daniel died, I remember calling across the street to deliver the sad news to Olimpia and Luis that morning. I don't know what I expected, but what I heard over the line, I will never forget. I heard a grown man cry out gutterally in sadness and rage, and he threw the handset to the ground. He couldn't speak to me. His dear wife, Olimpia, picked up the phone and I told her about Daniel, too. They were both devastated.

I also remember coming out of the house, that same day, at the very same time that Belen (their daughter) pulled up to their house. She got out of the car with a perplexed expression, as she noticed the string of cars in our driveway. And when I told her of Daniel's passing, she crumbled.  Crumbled.

There's something about a person's reactions that makes you truly realize the beauty and grace that humanity holds sometimes. Their reactions were ones of pure love. And though our hearts were broken, we were lifted up by their shared sorrow of losing Daniel.

As Papa Luis was admitted in and out of the hospital for treatments, and eventually moved into hospice care, we always made time to visit him. Nana and Papa rejoiced with us, once again, when we decided to go back to China to adopt another child. And when we were matched with Charlie, Madi and I took his referral picture to hospice, and told Papa Luis all about our son who was waiting for us. He was so happy for our family.


Papa Luis passed away on July 4th, 2011, but not before we were home with Charlie, and I was able to take Charlie over to hospice to meet him. I knew in my heart that it meant a lot to Papa Luis, and it meant a lot to us, too. For he was a very special man. One with a great, big open heart. We are blessed to have Nana Olimpia still across the street from us, and we think of Papa Luis often.

So, thank you, Belen, and your wonderful family, for such a beautiful gift to remember our Daniel. We appreciate it more than you'll ever know.

We believe that--up in Heaven--Papa Luis is being a loving Grandpa to Daniel right now. That thought gives us comfort.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Pop Tabs 2013

We made a sizable pop tab delivery to the Ronald McDonald House today.

It is so incredibly heartwarming that people are still collecting pop tabs in memory of Daniel. Madi's alumni preschool, First United Methodist Church, and the parish congregation, continue to collect them, and they are responsible for the bulk of our donation today. We totally filled their garbage bin!

Gracious.

We took only a small group of kids on this field trip, due to the smaller scale of the Fort Lauderdale property. The management gave us a tour of the facilities so the kids could, once again, see how their donations help families in need. That tour really puts things into perspective.

There are so many great ways to help their cause. Not only through pop tab donations, but also through their Adopt-A-Meal program, donating items on their wish list and much, much more.

Please, when you have the time, visit their website to find the ways in which you can help them. Having relied on their services when Daniel was in the hospital, I can safely say that they services are a Godsend.

 
 

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Sacred Heart

Our adoption community lost two precious heart babies from China on Friday; a precious little girl named Zoe, and a sweet little boy named John Thomas. Both of these angels were around the same age as Daniel was when he went to Heaven. Much like our path, both families recently embarked on their journeys to adopt these children and fell in love with them instantly. And though these babes weren't in their lives long, it is clear that their families loved them unconditionally and wholeheartedly.

I felt so silent yesterday. While I don't know these families personally, I desperately want to reach out and help them. But how? And so, I am left feeling paralyzed. I know the emotions that lie ahead for these parents and siblings. I know the pain in their hearts. The aching to see those sweet faces and to touch their children's soft skin again. The pangs of questioning how this could happen after these children waited so long for families to love them. To finally fall asleep only to wake up and realize it's not a bad dream. It's their new reality.

But I also know that God is the real medicine that will heal their wounds. I hear that they are both faith-filled families, and I am so glad that Jesus is their anti-depressant, and faith is their painkiller (the same trusty medicine that our family relied on). It appears both families are adored and lifted up by their communities, so that also gives me tremendous peace.  The gaping holes in their souls will surely be filled again.

And then I remembered something else. Something BIG. 

Friday was the first Friday honoring the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus! What a beautiful day to meet Him! I find it miraculous that these babes went to Heaven on such a special day in our Catholic faith.  It was the same way I felt about Daniel departing from the earth on Trinity Sunday.  

Hallelujah.

This is some of the text from our Living Liturgy about the Sacred Heart of Jesus:

"The human heart is a symbol for love and life. This solemnity in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a day on which we not only rejoice in Jesus' intimate relationship with us, but also in his incredible sacrificial love. The Sacred Heart is a divine heart that loves totally, rejoices fully, and gives life freely."

I will now remember these precious children each year on a very special day in our faith honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

Please pray for the Carr family and the Hammond family, and their angels who've entered the Kingdom of Heaven.  May their broken hearts be completely healed by the Hands and Heart of God.

I can only hope that Daniel's being a good big brother up there. I just know he is :)

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Adoption-Share.

I recently reached out to Thea Ramirez at Adoption-Share to find out more about their adoption ministry. During our correspondence, I was completely honored when Thea asked if they could share our story in their June newsletter! Adoption-Share was created by an adoption social worker who recognized a need within the adoption community for free exchange of information and resources relating to the adoption process. For more information about their services, please visit their website or like their Facebook page.