Two months ago, I became a mother. On Sept 14, 2006 I landed in the US with Emmett holding my hand, in between eating shrimp chips. It's hard to imagine that it has actually been 2 months. September seems like an age ago. We've all come so far since then. Emmett has grown much more comfortable with us. His giggles and belly laughs brighten our days. And his singing of "Red Red Robin" just crack us up. We have adjusted to thinking that 7am is "waking up late", and that it does really take 10 mins to get out of the house with a 3yr old. Not to say that these last two months haven't been incredible hard either. The adjustment of insta-parenthood is not easy. Whether you bring home a 3yr old or a 3 day old - you still arrive in your house and think. Ok, now what?
Someone once told me they thought I was brave to bring a 3 yr old into our home after 7 years of marriage (i.e. having 7 years of just the two of us). I don't think I'm brave - naive yes, but not brave. The challenges of a 3 day old as opposed to a 3yr old are no greater or less, simply different. I love the fact that Emmett is three - I wish I had known him when he was younger, but the little person I know now is so much fun. To watch his imagination grow has been such a joy. Listening to him count everything (in English, no less) is a blast to hear. He is such a sweet boy - with a demeanor which is apparent to everyone. He's 3 - yes, so unfortunately, he doesn't look where he's running and will flaten his baby cousin onto the floor. But, he at least stops to make sure she's ok before continuing the chase. And when we talk to him about slowing down, and watching where he's going - he listens and tries to obey. He has a desire to the right thing - at least right now he does.
Many adoptive parents feel the need to say "I can't imagine life without him". I feel the same peer pressure to say that too. But I can imagine a life without Emmett. However, when I compare a life without Emmett to the life I live now, with him - I like the one I have now so much better. Not because Emmett brings me joy (which he does), but because I love Emmett, I love being his Omma, and I would trade this life (or Emmett) for a million days of sleeping in, or late night movies. God led us on this journey to adopt Emmett. God choose Emmett to be our son, and being thankful for the here and now is so much more appealing than imagining a life without Emmett.
So happy 2 month Family Day, Emmett. I'm so blessed to be your Omma - and I love you very much.
No comments:
Post a Comment