Sunday, March 22, 2009

These Three Words

A little over two years ago Pat and I were walking our greyhounds along the waterfront park by our house. It was our usual weekend morning trek that happened to fall a day or two after St. Paddy's day. With steaming cups of our favorite Starbuck's drink warming our hands, our conversation was consumed by an all too familiar subject - our upcoming adoption. We hashed and rehashed the whens, whys and hows of every last detail, passing the time, as the poochies sniffed and trotted along beside us. We had been waiting for a referral for nearly 18 months and the feeling that this-may-never-happen was mutual and discussed openly.

Along the way, we passed a couple of fellow walkers who had paused amongst a patch of clover. The man and woman were on their knees sweeping the patch with an eagle eye and ungloved hand, searching aimlessly for the illusive 4-leaf clover. Well within ear shot, I shouted, "If you find an extra one, we could use some luck!" They smiled in acknowledgement as we continued to stroll on past. With our child-ready mini van finally in sight, we sipped the last of our coffee and made haste toward the warmth of the car. From behind,
we could
hear the rhythm of pounding feet approaching...not surprising, since this is a
popular jogging spot. "Wait!" we heard. Glancing back, we noticed it was the same couple we had passed. "You need this!" they said as they caught up to us. There in my hand, was placed a real, genuine, nature-made 4 leaf clover. They trotted off in the opposite direction, never even introducing themselves, as we were left staring, dumb founded at this stroke of luck sitting in the palm of my gloved hand! On March 23rd, 2007, that luck came in! We received the referral of a baby girl named Bhargabi. Since that day our "bit-o-luck" has continued to fill us with joy, laughter and love.

Today, we are blessed with a little girl who is outgoing, confident and funny. Home with us only a year and a half now, we are still experiencing "firsts". The other day Devi and I were going somewhere and just as we were leaving through the back door I remembered that I had to go back for something in the kitchen. I told Devi to wait for me at the door. I could hear her saying something to me, by the time a reached her I realized she was pointing at my feet in a very authoritative manner and saying, " Be patient, mommy!" Okay how does one not laugh at that?

Forever a thumb sucker, she recently has started to complain of a sore thumb. I took a look at it the other night, and this poor little digit is wrinkled, cracked and somewhat elongated, resembling a finger. She told, me, "My thumb is sore". I told her it is from sucking it and perhaps she should quit sucking her thumb,
after all, she is getting to be a big girl. She put both hands into the fists with thumbs extended...looked at them both, then promptly put the sore one down and said, "No, momma, I'll just suck the udder one!"

Daddy, Devi and I were sitting on the front stoop enjoying a rare ray of sunshine. Devi asked me, "Mommy, am I a princess?" I said, "Yes, Devi is a princess." She asked, "Is mommy a princess?" I answered, "Yes, mommy is a princess too." Next, Devi asked, "Is daddy a princess?" I replied, "No, daddy is not a princess?" Devi pondered this for a moment and looked at daddy and said, "Daddy, are you jealous?" This one was a howler to which Devi giggled and said, "I am funny!"

The biggest recent transformation is her understanding of the concept of a family. She likes to name the
members of her family, including the dog! and finishes it off with the statement, "We are a family!" She likes to say our last name and recite our address. The two things about this that I love most are when she grabs Pat and I by the hands and yells, "Family Hug!", which is so cute and always brings smiles. The other is when she takes each of us by the hand and wants us to sit together on the couch. She'll ask us, "Can we cuddle?" That just warms a mamma's heart!


My all-time favorite "first" occurred on March 1st. The little turnip and I were going through our bedtime routine. We had jammied up, brushed teeth, applied lotion, read our two books, sang "Lovely", said our God blesses and as I placed her in her crib, she reached up and hugged me one last time and (unprovoked) uttered these three words for the first time...I LOVE YOU! I melted. It isn't as if she had never said them, but this was the first time that is was solely her idea to say them. Hugging her back, I breathed in her scent, trying to hold onto that moment as long as I could.

These three words;
Sweet and simple.
These three words;
Short and kind.
These three words;
Always kindle
An aching heart to smile inside.

-Stevie Wonder

As we cross that threshold in time for a second year - March 23rd, 2007 - the day we first laid eyes on our Indian princess, these are the things that now fill my world. These are the things that make me smile each and every day and make the days when we questioned the possibility of ever becoming parents simply disappear.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Julie:
I loved reading your favorite things about your life with Devi.She is so precious and such a smart little girl.What a wonderful gift God has given us in these precious children.
Leveta

Amy said...

Oh wow, I love this post. What a great referral story - so neat! I enjoyed all of the special moments you shared about Devi. Enjoy this special time reflecting on the past 2 years :)

ColleenC said...

Great story!! I love it! Your little bit 'o luck sure is precious and adorable!!!

Peter and Nancy said...

I don't think I've ever heard the four-leaf clover part of Devi's story -- amazing! And the "I love you" . . . so endearing.

Anya Rashi is fascinated with the idea of family too -- every illustration in every book brings on a discussion. If there are a bunch of balloons in the book, she "gives" one to each of us, including the "new baby." So often I wish we lived near each other so these little girls could play!

Congratulations on two years of gazing at your daughter's beautiful face!
-- Nancy

Shad and Maggie Alsworth said...

I love to read all of your posts! They always bring such joy to my heart.
-Maggie

Pam said...

Julie,
You are such an awesome writer! I love reading your posts! ;) Micah just recently started telling us he loved us without being prompted. He says, "I lub you hooo much!" Melts this Momma's heart. ;) I didn't remember hearing the four leaf clover part of your story either. That is awesome!

The Labontes said...

Reading your wonderful renditions of your own family happenings and the special spots on your journey brings our own right back to us. Thank you for that. These adoption journeys are all so amazing.
Devi is beautiful, smart, and quite charming :)
Kristy

Fenwick 5 said...

What a wonderful referral post. It's like as you are reading your story you feel the love and joy that your daughter has brought into your life and what you have both brought to her. Your daughter is just a sweet pea,and of course a lucky charm!!Looking forward to our referral story,Gidget