Our Addison

As I sat at preschool graduation last night and again tonight I kept thinking of how proud I was of Addison, and wishing that her birth parents could see what a delightful young lady she is turning out to be.  I often think of them and want to thank them for the gift they gave us in Addison.  How lucky we are to be her parents!

Addison has been with us for four wonderful years.  Four years that have gone so fast!  At the end of next week she will no longer be a preschooler...she will be a kindergartner!  Even though the graduation ceremony's are over, she still has school next week to make up for the snow days that we had this winter.

We are in total awe of her personality.  Ever since the day she was placed in our arms in 2009 she has shown such a caring heart.  She has a beautiful personality, and has compassion beyond her years.  

It makes us think that Addison’s birth parents must be amazing people to have brought such a beautiful child into the world!  

We often wonder what her birth parents are like, what do they like to do?  Do they wonder about her, wonder where she is living, or what her name is?  Do they pray at night for her, for her safety, for her happiness?  Do they know that she has left China, but has been back to her homeland to bring home her brother, and will go back again someday soon!   Would they be happy that she loves the country that she is from, and that she is proud to be Chinese?  Do they realize that Addison has brought so much joy to our whole family, and that we thank then and pray for them daily?  We wish that we would someday have the chance to thank them in person, but here on earth that probably isn't possible. So from across the thousands of miles, from half way around the world, we send our thoughts and prayers their way in the hope that they somehow feel a sense in their hearts that their daughter is safe, that she is alive and well, and that she has become an amazing young lady. 

We don't know anything about her birth parents, but we do know they would be so proud of who she has become, as well as who she will turn out to be.  Addison has already changed so much in her short life, and has tackled many of her fears.  We know that someday Addison will move mountains and accomplish great things.  We just wish that we could share it with the two people that chose to give her life.  They have to be amazing people!

Two thoughts that always run through my head are...What are they like and what traits did Addison receive from them?

Addison has a genuinely radiant smile that can light up a room, did she get this beautiful smile from her birth mom?  Is her birth mom as beautiful inside as she is on the outside?  Did Addison get her quirky sense of humor from her birth dad?  Does he gut laugh at the silliest things?

Addison is a very caring young girl.  Did she get her caring heart from her birth parents?  Do they think of others before themselves?  Their little girl certainly does.

Do they ask others if they are okay?  Do they want to make sure everyone feels welcomed and loved?

Do Addison’s birth parents have beautiful personalities?  Do they laugh daily?  Do they have a positive attitude?   Do they have a unique sense of style that fits only them?  

Do they have that certain sparkle that shines through?  Do they have glitter running through their veins?

Do Addison’s birth parents have compassion beyond their years?  Do they have a sense of peace around elderly family members?  

Do they ask questions that make other people think?  Do they give of themselves for others?  Do they have a childlike faith?

Have they ever knelt in front of Buddha all the while asking God to pray for the one they are kneeling in front of?  Or sang Silent Night while visiting the Big Buddha?  It's only a guess, but probably not...

I wonder which one of her birth parents is artistic.  Do they paint, color and draw everyday?  Do they love to hang their art pieces up around the house?  Do they sign their name with pride on their creations? 

Which birth parent has a crazy way of using chopsticks?

Does her birth mom love to sing and dance or was it her birth dad.  Do they stand in front of the window or some studio mirrors somewhere watching their body move with the music?  Do they stand on a fireplace hearth and ask their friends to dance while they sing.  

Do they dress up in sparkly costumes and prance around the house?

Does her birth dad read ferociously?  Does he love all types of books?  Does he read in bed, when he is supposed to be sleeping?  Does he go to a public library and know exactly what he wants to find? 

Does he sit for hours reading a bunch of books?

Does Addison's birth mom love sleeping under a princess canopy?  Does she love being “cozy rosy” while sleeping.  Does she have a special blanket that she needs to sleep with?  Does she need to feel secure and safe in her bed?

Did her birth dad dislike bugs or walking on grass and sand with bare feet.  That would be our Addison!

Does her birth mom love to wear dresses, does she put her hair up in a pony tail on a daily basis?  Does she cry when it’s time to clip her fingernails?  

Does she jump for joy or dance around when she is excited?  If she does, Addison is like her birth mom!

What about her will to always do better, her wanting to finish what she has started?  Where did she receive that trait from?

Which birth parent gave her the sense of adventure?  Which one would have fed the giant Koi with a baby bottle?

Did either one of her birth parents trust their own parents when they were asked to try something new?

We don't know anything about Addison's birth parents, yet we know everything.  We know that through our Addison we will forever be connected to two Chinese people that we will never meet, two Chinese people that have had a enormus impact on our little part in this gigantic world.   

The Gift of Life

We didn't give you the gift of life,
But in our hearts we know.
The love we feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.

For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, we didn't give you
The gift of life,
Life gave us the gift of you.
--- Unknown