a joyous celebration

For those of you anxiously awaiting a post about ikea and an elephant's butt, you will have to wait another day. Today there is only one post-worthy option because today is Luci May Day. Also known as Gotcha Day. Three years ago today, we met our darling Luci May Rediet. I will never forget meeting any of my children. but the circumstances surrounding meeting Lulu were different than the other three. Not better, just different. And without physical pain or drugs (which, i guess in that way, made it a little better actually).

Today we celebrate this dear one joining our family...

On this day, I am mindful of the HOLDING ON and LETTING GO woven into the journey of adoption. It all began with "letting go". With Lulu's birth family having to let go of this precious one. And that dear little child letting go of all that she knew. There is no glossing over this reality in adoption. Adoption starts with letting go. She will always carry that with her.

But it doesn't stop there. Adoption is also about HOLDING ON. And this day is all about holding on. Because on July 27, 2009 Rediet ("Blessings") was placed in our arms and she held on for dear life. She didn't know us at all, but she held on in desperation...

We held onto the Lord in gratitude and awe...

And when we held our precious child for the first time, we knew we would never let her go...

And we won't.

In the letting go, there is a Hope to hold onto. There is a promise that upholds. And though we let go, we can know we are forever held. Luci May Day only happened because of letting go. But now we hold close our dear girl, just as we are held. And that is cause for celebration...