I thought that adopting a child would complete our family, but I had no idea what the road would be.Just when things were going badly, something out of the blue happened that threw our whole lives into chaos.My husband Mark and I had always wanted to take in a child in need and make them our own.We chose to adopt after giving it a lot of thought and having some very emotional talks.Our kids, Emily and Jacob, were just as excited as we were and couldn’t stop talking about their new sister.He asked, “Do you think she likes soccer?” as he kicked the ball around the yard.”I think she likes dolls,” Emily joked back at Jacob.”She’s six years old, not a boy.” “She can like both,” I told them as I laughed at their jokes.When we met Evie, a little six-year-old girl with serious eyes and a worn-out teddy bear, I felt like I knew her right away.I told Mark in a whisper, “She’s beautiful,” as we drove home. He replied in a quiet voice, “She has a good heart.”Our happiness didn’t last long, though.Barbara, Mark’s mother, spoke out against it at a family dinner.She asked angrily, “Someone else’s child?”
“Blood doesn’t connect orphans; it connects families.” The strain was clear, and her words hurt.”Family isn’t about blood,” I told her strongly.It has to do with love and dedication. But the harm was already done.On that night, Barbara’s worries made Mark feel unsure of himself.On the morning we were meant to take Evie home, Mark wasn’t sure what to do.He said in a heavy voice, “I’ve changed my mind.””This is impossible for me.” Even though my heart hurt, I was determined to stay strong.I told her, “Maybe you’ve changed your mind, but I haven’t.”I will not let Evie down while she waits for us. I made Emily and Jacob follow me out the door.The only place I could think of to go for safety was the old, run-down house where my mother used to live.
Not the best, but it was good enough for a new start.The kids warmed up to Evie over time, adding her to their games and making her laugh, which I loved.Share our trip on social media, more as a way to let off steam than anything else.To my surprise, people I didn’t know came out to me with encouraging words, their own stories, and offers to help.A woman with a basket of groceries came by one morning.Another day, a man came over and offered to fix our front steps.Soon, our home was filled with love and kindness.Mark got in touch after a few weeks.He was different when he got there.He said, “I’m sorry I let fear get the best of me.”
“When I was weak, you were strong.” I’m sorry and want to make it up to you.There were no words needed to forgive. We fixed up the house and made it a loving place to live.Evie grew up and laughed a lot with Emily and Jacob.Even Barbara changed her mind and gave Evie a beautiful brooch as a sign of acceptance.I knew we had made it through the storm as Mark and I sat on the porch and watched the kids play.Evie wasn’t just a family member; she was the last piece of the puzzle that finished us off.
