Having said that, I am typically not overly comfortable with receiving help. I think I am certainly not alone on this one...we all like to be in the position of the giver and not the taker. I am very stubborn and always want to manage on my own.
I can give one funny and humbling example....I was hospitalized while I was pregnant with Mary for pre-term labor. The IV medicine that they were giving me, relaxed all of my smooth muscles in hopes to stop contractions. Unfortunately, this also meant that I my legs felt like rubber bands and my eyes could not even focus well enough to read or watch tv. So, the nurses informed me that I would need assistance to make it to the restroom.
Well, I just knew that I would be able to make it without their help...and so I started out. With great difficulty, I did make it to my destination. Success!! I then realized, as the room was spinning around me, that my ability to make it back to the bed was going to be much more difficult. Did I call the nurse at this point? Of course not! I started out, heading back to my bed, clutching the IV pole for dear life! I made it all the way back to the bed but when I turned to get into it....down I went with my eight month pregnant body crashing into the IV pole first and then down to the floor. You can imagine the horror on the nurse's face when she ran into the room and saw her high risk pregnant patient, sprawled across the floor!
When we joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, one of the things I absolutely loved was the service that is encouraged and built in to every aspect of church activity. I happily brought dinners over to new moms, made a hospital survival kit for someone going in for surgery, took pictures of a very preemie baby for a mom who had no camera, and visited and listened to members of the church who were having hard times. It felt great and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Then, we lost our daughter Kate when I was nearly 7 months pregnant. We were devastated. I have never in my life felt such pain as losing a child and truly hope to never experience it again. I really did need love and help. But, when the Relief Society president called, I really didn't want anyone to bring over meals. I really couldn't think about food anyway. But, she was smart and mentioned the children's needs and so I agreed.
That simple gesture from the families that brought over meals each day, meant everything to me..much more than just food. They were able to gain access to our home and to offer a very heart-felt hug without being intrusive. They offered special foods like brownies to my children which brought some light and joy into the darkness of our home. Ultimately, the biggest gift they offered was that I knew we weren't alone.
We have all sorts of fundraising plans....ebay, garage sales, pursuing a garment printer (a prior business goal), cutting down our old walnut tree stump in hopes to sell the wood, and maybe a fun dinner fundraiser. I really didn't want to just ask for straight out donations because it is truly uncomfortable.... but
The cold hard reality may be that we may not have enough hours in the day for me to make/sell enough items for us to pay for all of the expenses up to the point of getting us on the plane...much less getting two little munchkins back on the plane headed for home....and back again for two more trips and court hearings, lawyers fees, etc. It is very expensive...
At this point many people (including myself on bad days) wonder..why are they doing this???
I found the simple and yet profound answer in this poem today....every child should have a home...
WHAT IS A HOME?
"A roof to keep out the rain. Four walls to keep out the wind. Floors to keep out the cold. Yes, but home is more than that. It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father. Warmth and loving hearts, light from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship. Home is first school and first church for young ones, where they learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind. Where they go for comfort when they are hurt or sick. Where joy is shared and sorrow eased. Where fathers and mothers are respected and loved. Where children are wanted. Where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is earned. Where money is not so important as loving-kindness. Where even the teakettle sings from happiness. That is home. God bless it."
All children deserve the chance to have a home but due to false fears...many with special needs will never have that chance.
The only interest in our twins from other families, prior to our commitment to them, had been a few requests to separate them.
I read a statistic recently that said that if just one family from every church congregation adopted, that we would have no more waiting children.
I love to imagine a world where all children have families and all couples who want children are able to fill their homes.
So, on Monday we will find out if we are approved for a lease on a Brother digital garment printer.
If we are approved....I will be able to print, print, print...anything and everything I can get my hands on and anything and everything anyone wants me to! It will basically allow us to put any image that is on our computer, onto most any garment although usually it is used to do t-shirts. I am excited and ready to roll up my sleeves and go to work!
I want to bring our two sweet cherubs home! (just wait til you all get to see them!)
Good luck with your fundraising. Hopefully it will be done quick!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I was reassured by our social worker at the adoption agency that it always works out and she admitted to seeing some bleak situations. She said that it had *never* happened in their agency where someone got part way in and just couldn't complete the adoption due to money. Here's to hoping that we're not her first failure! ;-)
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