Saturday, September 27, 2008

Zen


The foolish mans seeks happiness in the distance; the wise man grows it under his feet. - James Oppenheim

We are not officially on the wait list but it is getting close, very close.  When I saw this quote by Oppenheim, it struck a chord. 

Adoption, I have discovered is about waiting.  Different periods of waiting.  Waiting for an appointment.  Waiting for CIS.  Waiting for the wait list.  Waiting for the referral.  Waiting for the court date.  Waiting for travel.  Waiting.  I remember waiting when I was pregnant, but I had an end date.  You have a boundaries that are concrete.  The first trimester is a defined period.  The second, too.  And even the third.  None of the waiting periods in adoption are set by a number of days.  There is such a pull to think about the future.  To plan for the future.  To dream about the family we are to become.  Is it at the expense of the family we are today?  I have been working hard to not let tomorrow be the thief of today.  It is so hard.  I am making a concerted effort to enjoy the calm in the house.  Being able to watch the soccer matches without interruption.  The relative ease that 3 children are.  The time I have with Jason.  The routines that we have established.  The discussions at the dinner table that are almost adult-like.

I know that life will be chaotic and exhausting for a while (maybe a long while) after we have our new child/ren.  Yet, we wait with excitement.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello, I found your blog thru the Kaufman family (friends of ours). We are also adopting from ET & have one already beautiful adopted child, Luca.
I had to leave a comment to let you know that we are also using Gladney, that I am excited to use your banana bread recipe & that I used the exact Lilypie ticker (cabbage & stork) for a mom's board that I am part of.
Great to see you blog!
Love, J
http://web.mac.com/lgutwein

Lori S said...

I remember going through the same thought process. We really do need to enjoy all that we have today, but look forward to what will come.

Sparkz said...

AMEN! I think waiting and patience are the backbone of adoption! I can't wait until you get to find out what great changes will happen to your family! :)

PS: I love the picture w/this post! Were trying the banana bread recipe this week! :)

Lori S said...

Just thought I'd pop in and see how you're doing. I'm going to get my bananas out of the freezer and try your recipe tomorrow!
Take Care!