It's a Wonderful Life

"Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives."  I loved that line when I first heard Clarence say it to George Bailey it in the movie It's A Wonderful Life and I still love it today!  I feel like this adoption path has provided me with some of the most intense and genuine new friendships and interactions with family.  I mention this because, without these friendships and interactions, none of this would be as significant as it is to me today.  Here is my story about getting "The Call."

At 5:04 p.m.EST on Thursday, September 18th my phone rang and Christy's name appeared on my screen.  Christy is my most fabulous case worker with the adoption agency.  I was not at home but in a town nearby house sitting.  I knew that I had to be back at school in an hour or so to prepare for Back to School night.   I had contacted Christy two days before to confirm I received my Favorable Determination Letter and was completely paper ready.  The letter had to be re-submitted since I moved during this process.  I answered the phone and Christy greeted me in her usual upbeat way with the FDL topic in the forefront. I thought maybe she hadn't called in two days because she had some news--ok maybe I was hoping and praying--but lost that sense of hope with the beginning of our call.  Then, she said, "So, how is everything else going?"  I got that butterfly feeling in my stomach and waited for her next comment.  "I have some exciting news about a little girl for you," she said.  I have absolutely no idea what I said--maybe something about should I sit down or keep pacing.  I know I was thinking I'd really like to have a glass of wine but knowing I was going back to school, that was not an option!  

The conversation is a bit of a blur after that.  What I do remember is the most beautiful description of the little girl God has chosen for me.  From her name, to her measurements, to her story of abandonment I was and am and forever will be in love with baby S.  She is the perfect child for me and I cannot wait until the day I get to smell her and touch her and hold her and comfort her and love on her.  

Christy explained to me that she would send the photographs she had and the other documentation, too.  All the while I knew I had to jump in the car and travel back to school.  I got in the car hoping to get there to open the files and see little S.'s picture before Back to School Night began.  I called a friend of mine to meet me at school so she could be there with me when I opened the pics.  I called my mom who was shopping for ballet clothes with my niece.  I called my dad who was home and told him to please go wait at my sister's house until my mom showed up to drop off my niece.  I wanted them all to be there to hear it at once. I knew my parents were heading out of town so I wanted to catch them before they hit the road.  I only wish my brother lived closer to have been there too.

My dad called me on the mobile and put me on speakerphone.  I tried to send a picture while telling them everything I knew.  E-mail after e-mail they were having difficulty opening the photos.  Of course I was convinced the pics were encrypted and that I would never make it downstairs to the gym in time to do my job AND show my family our newest member.  The family decided to head to my sister's office--two blocks away--to use the other computer.  So, my mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law and four kiddos headed down the street.  When the got there, they called again.  I tried to send the photo again.  Still no luck.  The clock was ticking and I was getting frustrated.  I tried another email account now convinced it was my work email when all of the sudden I heard my friend standing next to me saying, "Melissa,  stop for a minute and listen."  I turned my head to the phone and I could hear everyone cooing an gasping an loving on little S. already.  It was a most joyful moment.  My family could see the little girl I have been patiently waiting for, destined to raise right in front of their eyes.  At that moment, I was at peace.

When I got home I called my brother an his girlfriend to share the news.  Then I called my parents again to say goodnight and my dad filled me in on some of the conversation that took place in my absence. My four year old nephew made a wonderful comment about how lucky the baby is to live at Auntie's house with all the crafts and the big backyard.  My mom told my dad that if they couldn't see the pictures, they were not leaving town that night but coming to see them in person.  I was loving every minute of hearing how they stood around her picture and talked together about our wonderful new addition.

I feel so blessed to be so supported by such loving, compassionate and understanding family and friends.  It is for that reason all of this is possible, that S. will come to be raised in my family.  A perfect blend of crazy, dysfunctional, passionate, opinionated, loving people that make us the special group we are.  I am convinced there is no perfect world.  I do believe however, if you wish it to be, it can be and is a wonderful life!