At last

The birth of a child is (usually) an exciting affair. There are many things that need to be made ready so that when the child arrives, he or she can be welcomed. Not least among these 'things' are the hearts of the parents.

What happens though when a couple cannot conceive, when they are physically incapable of giving birth? One option is to approach a number of adoption agencies and to engage in the process of legally adopting a child who would not otherwise have parents to care for it or to love it.

Add another rinkle: in recent years, I've heard more and more about couples who are adopting children from overseas. In this part of the world, such adoptions often come from places like China, Korea and other parts of the orient, where the well established practice leaves many thousands of newborns to perish, either because of the poverty of their birth parents, or because of cultural norms.

This morning, I received a picture in the mail from friends who have been waiting (I believe) for almost two years for word about their little child. Finally, just a few weeks ago, they got the green light, and are now making final plans for travel to China where they will meet their new treasure for the very first time.

Excitement about this meeting radiates from the page even as it's removed from the envelope, and the smiling face of the little one (who will celebrate her second birthday after her arrival at home in Canada) greets the onlooker. Even before she arrives, I know that her new parents are already preparing her place, and that all her extended family is overjoyed at the prospect of meeting her, loving her, and helping her to become all that she can be.