Sunday was Jonalyn’s 8th birthday. It’s hard to believe she’s 8, probably because she isn’t cognitively an 8 year old. We didn’t do anything for her birthday, as Nana and Pop-pop are away celebrating my niece’s birthday which was yesterday. They’ll be home today, and then we’ll celebrate. So you have to wait for pictures!

Whenever my children have a birthday, I can’t help but think about their birthmothers. On Sunday, on the other side of the world, there was a couple (Jonalyn’s birthparents were married) thinking about their daughter. I’m sure it was a bittersweet day for them. Jonalyn was their 10th child. But they knew they couldn’t care for her because of their poverty and her special needs. How their hearts must break. Mine aches for them. They will never know her infectious smile, will never receive one of her ready hugs, will never hear her shout, “Jesus lubs me!”, will never kiss her goodnight. We wrote them a letter and gave it to the adoption authority in the Philippines when we were there. I hope someday they come and read that letter. I want them to know Jonalyn has a good home, a loving family. I want them to understand that she is getting the best care and education we can give her. I want to reassure them she will have a home with us forever.

Birthmothers and birthfathers are the most unselfish, bravest people in the world. So to Brian’s, Alyssa’s, and Jonalyn’s birthparents, I say thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your incredible love for your children. May God bless you and somehow let you know your children are safe and happy in the world.