I'll Love You Forever...

...I'll like you for always
As long as I'm living,
My baby you'll be.
These are the words that echo through a favorite book in the Wilson house.

Forever.

That's a really long time. It's irrevocable.

I find it curious that on two different occasions this week, by two different children (one in first grade, another in fifth) I was asked if I would ever give my daughter back.

The first time I was asked, I must have looked dumbfounded. I asked her to explain. Her thought process was that if my daughter was adopted, and she came from China, could she ever be naughty enough that I would send her back.

I simply couldn't fathom where these thoughts would come from. But this is a highly impoverished community, and adoption is not something they understand. The closest they come is their experience with foster care and being shuffled between homes.

I so desperately wanted to share with them the grace of God...how He is my Father forever. Nothing I ever say or do can make Him stop loving me or make Him stop being my Father. The same goes for my love for my daughter.

Now, I don't want to make light of the heart-breaking decisions many families do face...when adoptions are disrupted. I do know that there are times when it's just not working...and having prayed with and for friends who have faced this, I have an amazing amount of compassion and know they did not come to the decision quickly or in a flash of anger.

But looking in the eyes of the two girls who posed these questions to me...I have to wonder what kind of stability they face to consider that a mother would ever stop loving her child.

Humor?

So this picture has been floating around Facebook lately. The picture is hilarious. But the caption? I fail to find the humor in it. I ran across another similar "joke" about adoption a few nights ago and couldn't hold my tongue (my fingers?) I typed what I hoped was a comment giving food for thought about the appropriateness of such "insults." (I mean really...is an adopted child any less a member of a family than a natural born child?)

In my new community, I teach an unusually high number of broken children, many in foster care. I can't picture myself looking any one of them in the eye and saying, "Can't you take a joke?" after insinuating they have less value because they are adopted.

The responses to my comment were quite interesting. Many people seemed to agree...the original comment really wasn't funny, nor was it in good taste. Those responses were polite, and simply stated a shared opinion. But the comments that disagreed? I won't even repeat the vulgarities that were directed to me. (Apparently I don't have a sense of humor.) They were spiteful and hateful.

Ah! The joy of being able to hide behind the anonymity of the internet and vilify people you don't know.

It saddens me that so many people can't live in a society anymore where differences of opinion can be thoughtfully shared without resorting to obscenities and name calling.

I decided to end my day by turning off the computer and snuggling with my little darling...giggling quietly while she was sleeping over all the funny jokes she likes to tell. I guess I do have a sense of humor, after all.

Worms

I was transported back in time this morning. It's spring break, so of course it's been raining all week (not that I mind...reminds me of Oregon.) I decided to dig out the old running shoes this week, and I'm starting over with Couch to 5K. Today was week one, day two. (Gotta get some of these pounds and inches off before my 20 year reunion this summer...not that I'm that old!)

This morning, the skies cleared and the sun was peeking through. The daffodils are up, the tulip trees are in full bloom, some tulips are starting to pop out, and I even saw the beginnings of some lilac blossoms (I actually smelled them first.) The wet grass was glittering in the sun, and the streets were just wet enough to make it feel cool and spring-y.

But the sight (and smell) that really took me back to my youth...those days when I first discovered running on the Damascus Middle School track team...were the worms.

Worms. Worms. Everywhere worms. I could smell them, I could see them, and I tried not to feel them slipping under my feet by some artful dodging. I'm glad I didn't break an ankle in the attempt.

Ah! Spring...

It's National Pig Day!

Things I've learned from pigs:

Why exercise when you can accessorize? (and orange goes with everything.)

Take some time to splash in the puddles. Cute rain boots help.
There's always time for tea.
If you can't find some roses, take some time to smell the daffodils.
Everyone could use a hug now and then.

...and Dear Jesus

...thank you for choosing the right parents for me.

Love that girl!

Oregon *sigh*

My latest Pinterest obsession is finding really cool pictures from Oregon. I really do believe it may be one of the most beautiful places on earth.

The Best Medicine

I came home feeling completely miserable. Nasty head cold and a fever. I knew this morning I shouldn't have gone to work, but report cards were due today, and there was really nothing I could do. So I left sub plans for tomorrow, called someone in, and left all my work at school feeling no guilt whatsoever.

Now I'm home and in my jammies. The electric blanket is turned up, and the remote controls are close at hand.

But these things aren't making me feel better...no, the best medicine would be my Dayna. My sweet girl who made me a bread and butter sandwich and put a tea bag in a big mug (I had previously filled it with hot water) and brought everything in to me on a tray. I must say...I'm feeling better already.

(But I still think I'll stay home tomorrow.)