Wel
l, our sweet baby is going home today. His adoption plan hit a legal snafu and Mommy is going to parent this beautiful boy. It was a quick 8 days.
This is the sweet stuff of fostering; I might as well admit it. The complete purity, the immense hopefulness of a brand new life is tonic for the soul. It is rich refreshment.
I think what really touches me is not only how much I enjoy this baby, but how he has lifted and inspired the whole family. “The Blitz,” age 2, was completely tickled by this tiny human being. Every time baby opens his eyes and looks around or waves his tiny hands, The Blitz points at him and laughs hysterically. To his point of view, this baby is a living doll. Our 3 and 4 year old have really enjoyed him too; when I told them last night that he’d be going home with his mommy today, our 4-year old begged me to keep him.
It’s been a couple of years since we had an infant in the house, just long enough for my teens to become teens and to truly appreciate the magnificence of a baby. Both girls have spent hours holding, rocking and gazing at him. I think the desire to foster and adopt sprouted in me when I was about their age, so it was precious to behold. Even Daddy got into the act; busy as he was, who can resist holding this little bundle of innocence and vulnerability?
Okay, truth be told, we began fostering because we think we have something to offer that is greatly needed in our community. When we had the “picture” of fostering, it was painted with toddlers and youngsters. A baby is a special blessing. But just because it’s the “easy duty” doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable. I think this booster shot of cuteness and love-ability is just the recharge the whole family needed to continue our work. Bye, bye, Beautiful, and thanks.
