Monday, March 29, 2010

The Gift

I received an unexpected box from UPS today. I wasn't expecting anything, but my birthday is coming up on Sunday so I thought maybe someone had mailed me a present.

Nope, it was from our adoption agency! Whenever we get anything in the mail from the agency I tear it open like it's Christmas morning, because whatever it is, it came from Korea and I know it's going to be really exciting.

I tore the package open and the first thing that I saw was writing on the top of it that said "from the birth mother". Oh. My. Gosh. I seriously didn't even get farther than that before I started crying. I have hoped and prayed that someday we'd receive something from the birth mother, but that's pretty rare, so I didn't think we actually would.

What we received is a pile of adorable clothes for Clarissa and a beautiful letter from the birth mother and the birth mothers sister. I'm still trying to comprehend it all (and I'm still trying to stop bawling about it!).

What an absolutely amazing gift from someone who has already given us the most amazing gift in the world. It really means so much to me.

She sent pajamas, several cute outfits, ponytail holders, a hat, socks and the cutest shiny pink sneakers you've ever seen! So cute!!

I won't share what was in the letters because they're something special just for Clarissa, but they are beautiful and priceless to us and they came from people who obviously love Clarissa very much. I think someday they're going to be really special for Clarissa and something that she'll treasure forever.

I read the letters over and over and unfolded and refolded the clothes a millon times and I cried for the mother who will never get to see her daughter wear them. From one mother to another my heart breaks for her. I can't imagine how hard it must have been to go shopping for the baby that she'll never get to hold and kiss and enjoy. Clarissa is an amazing, beautiful little girl and my heart hurts for the mother who will never get to know her and watch her grow up.

And I cried because I'm so grateful for the gift of that letter and for what it will mean to Clarissa later in her life. Clarissa is so blessed to have so many people in her life who love her and want the best for her. The decision to place her for adoption was done out of so much love and I'm grateful that Clarissa will have the letters to read when she's old enough to understand the circumstances of her adoption. It's fairly rare to hear from the Korean birth mothers, so what we received today was just such a treasure.

So tonight I'll hug Clarissa a little tighter and give her extra kisses from the mother who can't be with her to do it herself. And tonight I'll say an extra prayer of thanks for all the amazing gifts that we've received.

14 comments:

Sandra said...

What an amazing gift. How wonderful and heartbreaking at the same time.

Jill said...

Wow. What a wonderful treasure for Clarissa.

Mama E said...

Oh, Wendy! That is incredible! What an amazing gift and blessing!!

Anna said...

Better than a birthday present!

Dustin, Darci, Britton, Benjamin, & Caden said...

That is so cool! I'm so happy for Clarissa to have those letters. She is such a lucky girl in so many ways.

Eun Jin Lee said...

As adoptive parents I think we all "hope" for something like this to happen.
I am so happy for your family and your daughter that her birth mother did reach out to you.
What an amazing, special gift!

Jessi said...

What a beautiful gift. Thank you for letting us share in your amazing journey.

Melissa said...

Wow, that is amazing. It brought me to tears! That is such a special gift to Clarissa!

Amy said...

That made me emotional too. What a wonderful and thoughtful gift that Clarissa will truly treasure.

happyseoul said...

What an incredible gift. So wonderful for Clarissa, what a tresure for sure. Post a pick of the pink sneakers : )

happyseoul said...

Picture... I don't mean a pick (lol) I meant a Pic. Guess I need some more coffee.

My5Blessings said...

WOW, Wendy what a gift for you and Clarissa! I am sure that will be very helpful to her when she is old enough to understand. You hear so many stories of adopted children that want to know the details of why they were put up for adoption and now she will know. What a blessing! Can you dress Clarissa in the outfit and take a picture and send it to her or is that forbidden?

I hope Clarissa has a Wonderful first Easter with her Wonderful family!

All the best!
Michelle

KrisJ said...

Now that is neat! What a wonderful thing for C to have when she can understand what it all means!

Misty said...

Wow, how wonderful..tears reading through it. I can't imagine how that must make you feel! :) Now you know answers and Clarissa will be able to read those as well. Now is this something that you would be able to communicate back to the birth mother at some point?? I don't really know how that works.