The road less traveled

Most days (nights) when I write this I really never know what I will say.  There have only been a couple in which an idea has floated around in my blank brain and I have followed through with it. Today is not one of those days.  Today was truly a struggle with a very happy ending.  

Today started out as a typical day.  Food, medicine, play and a new one, turn on the tv.  The girls love to watch soccer (football on this part of the world) and professional cycling.  These girls were born for Durango.  Anyway, all was well until we ventured outside.  

Outside consisted of playing on the swing and chasing Eli our next door neighbor.  It also consisted of a very bad fall for Judith (Josee).  Nothing serious, but she did sprain her ankle and has refused to weight bear on it.  Nothing serious if you can communicate that you are in pain and you want someone to fix it.  Nothing serious if you are not scared half to death.  Nothing serious if you had not just been in the hospital with tubes coming out of your arms.  Nothing serious if your life had not just been turned upside down.  

This truly became a serious moment for this little girl.  So much that she proceeded to cry and wail half of the day.  During snack, lunch and nap time she continued to cry in pain.  Not just pain, but suffering.  She was so upset she cried herself to sleep and laid on the floor for over two hours.  We hoped the nap would change things.  It did not.  

Something had to give.  "Let's try the pool."  She barely smiled.  She did not play and would not do anything but cling to Valerie's lap.  No crying, but she was still in pain.  No crying, but we still could not fix her.  

Finishing up at the pool with no success, we hoped that dinner would calm things down.  Dinner made, Katie and the rest of us eating, and Josee picks at her food.  Progress.  She is eating.  She begins to eat more. Fussing still taking place, until the knock at the door.  

Our neighbors.  No, our saviors.  She begins to smile.  Now we have spent most of our day with this family, and yet there is something about now that causes her to be removed from her pain.  First off, she realizes that bed time does not come directly after dinner.  Second, she sees that Katie is getting her hair done and maybe she will get more mommy time.  

While Katie is getting her hair done, some significantly changed with Josee.  She began to smile and laugh.  She then let me hold her, tickle her and rough house with her.  She still won't bear weight on the foot, but she is happy.  She feels safe again.  Before I know it, I have all three kids rough housing with me.  All of us are laughing and enjoying one another.  All of us are feeling alive.  No fear.  No feeling alone, but becoming a family.  Just like with Kate and Abby.  This feels good. 

Bed time eventually comes and Josee goes to bed rather easily.  Katie however, does not.  Something has happened though.  Although she will not lay next to me, she eventually decides to let me hold her and rock her to the point of sleeping.  Never before has this happened.  Another step forward for our family.  

Sometimes in life we need people to step in our lives.  Our community in Durango has done just that.  They have walked with us on this long journey.  They have felt our pain and wiped our tears.  They have helped us pick ourselves up and prepare for the next day, when there seemed to be no more days available in our heart.  

Our families have walked this arduous road with us and helped us to see the light at the end of the tunnel, even when adopting did not make any sense.  They supported our craziest whims with no condemnation. They opened their hearts to two little girls who had no real home until now.  

You see sometimes we need to be willing to let others take over for us.  To carry us.  Just like the story of the good Samaritan.  The person beaten while walking down the road had to open his life up to a total stranger.  If not he would have died.  He had to be willing to let his walls of pride fall.  He had to be willing to say he could fight no more.  He had to accept the help.  

So as I finish up tonight, I ask you, are you willing to take the challenge of allowing the stranger to help?  Are you wiling to walk down the road that will beat you up so that someone else can take care of you?  Sorry if this sounds preachy, but this experience has rocked our world.  It has caused me to see that there is no way we can walk this road without God, friends and family.  Although I am not the easiest to help thank you for all of those who have attempted to do so, or just prayed for us.

This one is to you Judith Josee Marie Paul and to Katie Mushisha Marie Kalwa

Judith Josee

Shower time 

Judith Josee

Katie