NOTE: This was written for a friend of my
mother-in-law who had to submit the reasons she wanted to adopt an
"at-risk" child. The
sentiments are hers; I simply put the feelings into words.
Dear Child,
I want to be a part of your life for so many
reasons. I've worked very hard to earn
the chance to give you love, to read to you some of the books I've been
collecting like the Jungle Book, Heidi, and Green Eggs and Ham, to hear you proudly
read out loud to me for the first time, to play with you in our backyard and to
watch over you while you sleep. For five
years, I've felt you in my arms.
I want to make sure you eat your vegetables and brush
your teeth. I want to go to church together
and sing while we hold hands. I want to
see your fingerprints and fingerpaints all over the refrigerator.
I want you to drive me crazy with questions. I want you to keep me awake late at night so
I can be Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy after you've gone to sleep, to take
your temperature when you're running a little fever. I want to take you shopping and watch TV with
you snuggled up with a blanket and a bowl of popcorn.
I want to worry when you have a cold and when I loosen
the apron strings on your first day of school.
To give you a shoulder to cry on and put a band-aid on a skinned little
knee. I want to hear your laughter and
wipe away your tears.
I want to show you the difference between right and
wrong. I want you to have your own room
to fill with books, games, stuffed animals, and joy. I want to make sure you wash behind your
ears. I want you because you're a
special little person. I want you to be
happy and feel secure. I want you...to
love.
With love,
Dear Parent,
I know you don't have much choice in giving up your
child. I want you to know how sorry I am
that things didn't work out and that I really appreciate the chance to be a
part of your child's life. I know deep
down you want what's best for your child and I promise to give your child a
home filled with love and security.
If your child has any brothers or sisters, I'll do what I
can to make sure your child knows all its family. I know how important family is. My mother and my brother live near by and
they are eager to be a part of your child's life, too.
I have a good job as a postal clerk so you don't have to
worry about your child's material needs.
I can take off a couple of months to give your child time to get used to
me and a new environment and I'll do everything I can to make it as easy as
possible. When I have to go back to
work, my next door neighbor will watch over your child for me when I have to
work.
I am an ordinary person with a lot of love to give to
your child. I like to read, watch TV,
see plays, shop, and do crafts. I
regularly attend an old established church and go to church functions. I don't date -- God hasn't put a relationship
in my life yet; I am content to wait until He is ready. So you see, my heart and my home are open and
ready for a child. I'll do everything I
can to meet your child's emotional needs.
Most people have to wait just nine short months for a
child to enter their life. I have waited
five years and during that time, I have worked hard to make sure the child that
enters my life will have the best I can offer.
Thank you for understanding that I wish it could be different for you,
but perhaps this is what's best for your child. Sincerely,
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