The Choice

The screen door slams shut as Big Sister races across the grass, not caring that her feet with their purple nail polish are bare, oblivious to her pink-tipped hair being tossed in the breeze.  Reaching for the car door before the engine has even stopped, she can barely contain her excitement.  Since school has been out for the summer, she has diligently been counting down the days until this sweet reunion, anticipating the moment when she can finally wrap her arms around these familiar strangers who have come to visit. 

It has been many, many years since she has last seen them.  Much, much too long.  A lifetime of experiences have passed since then, and a brief afternoon together can hardly compensate for the lost years.  But it’s all they have, and there is not a moment to lose.  Every second is important, when it means spending it with siblings.

Unbreakable Bonds

Empty Arms

“Please,” she pleads on the other end of the telephone.  “Please don’t let him forget me.”  I can’t ignore the desperation, the near hopelessness in her request.  It surely follows years and years of disappointments and frustrations, watching dreams of the future crumble around her.  It is an appeal made from a heart of grief, knowing that she will most likely never see this child again.  It is the cry of a heart-broken grandmother.

Parents may make mistakes, and sometimes they do foolish things or make decisions that affect the lives of their innocent children.  The children end up in the foster care system or being placed for adoption, in hopes that some of the damage that has wreaked havoc on their young lives might somehow heal.  But when children are separated from their parents, it’s not just the nuclear family that is dramatically affected.  Where does that leave the grandparents?  How do they fit into the story?

Where are the Lifeboats?

The sun shone brightly overhead, lending warmth to the chilly spring day.  The excitement in the air was palpable, as passengers leaned over the deck railings and waved farewell to friends and loved ones on shore.  The lively music from the band on board, the streamers zigzagging through the air, and the prim and proper crew members liberally offering champagne were all evidence of the celebration that this moment deserved: after four years of designing, building, fitting, and trial runs, the ship was finally embarking on her maiden voyage.

Some of the passengers had waited their entire lives for this amazing opportunity, saving their hard-earned wages, reading up on tour books and collecting travel brochures, and dreaming of the adventure that lay ahead.  Perhaps a few were seasoned travelers, having made several similar voyages in the past, and although there was no denying the joyous occasion, their enthusiasm was balanced with a dose of reality.   There may have even been some who felt anxiety and trepidation about the impending passage, unsure of how susceptible they are to seasickness, or how the unfamiliar food will taste, or what unknown dangers lay in the middle of the ocean when no land is in sight.   But whoever they were and whatever their personal thoughts and emotions at that particular moment, once the ocean-liner left the dock, they knew that there would be no turning back.

The birth of a newborn baby into a family is generally a joyous occasion, often celebrated, not only by the mother and father themselves, but together with friends, families, and loved ones.  It marks the beginning of an adventurous journey!  Some parents have eagerly awaited this moment with careful planning and preparation by reading parenting books or taking classes, and decorating the new baby’s room.  Other parents may be hesitant and anxious about their new role, not quite sure what to expect in the months and years ahead.  There may even be some who have stumbled upon this moment unintentionally, but instead of choosing other options like abortion or adoption, they resolve to embark on this excursion with courage and optimism.  But regardless of their individual situations and attitudes, one thing is certain: the addition of a child into one’s family is an irrevocable, life-changing moment.