Pictures Say a Thousand Words

After what I am fairly certain was the longest weekend of my life, our boys finally got to "meet us" last night when our scrapbook was presented to them. I was up all night, wondering what they would say, what they would they think, how they would feel. 


When their caseworker called this morning, I was unsure if I wanted to hear how it went. What if they hated us? What if they took one look and said, "Ummmm...no. I really do not want THAT to be my forever family." Thankfully, it did not go quite like that. They were nervous, understandably apprehensive. They were handed a book and told that these people, these pictures and letters, were from their parents. How would you feel?? They looked through the book, smiled at a few things---our house, their room, Lucy (our faithful dog, who is very much like a person) and the fact that Daddy is a police officer. They like police officers. They asked a few questions, and then Ethan declared that he would rather be playing. Of course. Later, they took the book to their room and then brought it out to show their neighbors. Ethan is afraid that if they come here before Christmas, Santa will not be able to find them. 


I want to meet them , hear their voices, tell them that they can do this, that we are all going to be okay. How do you love someone you have never met? I have a profile, a background and IQ test results. I have third person accounts of what they have said. I want to talk to them, see them laugh, watch them play in the yard and bicker with their little sister. I want them here, where we can start the rest of our lives---together. 


I can't imagine how scared they are, how excited, how confused. At 8 and 6, much their young lives have been lost in upheaval and fear. For the last year and a half, they have been loved and taken care of by a wonderful couple. Now, everything is about to change for them again. We are so excited, so full of joy. But I have to think that they have much more trepidation than comfort at knowing we are here, waiting for them. All we can do is be here, arms open, ready to take what comes.