Commence Breathing

I have a very profound truth that I want to share with all of you on this fine, rainy, Wednesday morning. 

It is a truth that I experienced myself a year ago today.

It is a truth that I have witnessed countless times with numerous families over the last number of years.

It is profound.

It is this.....

Jumping off the cliff and into the world of adoption knocks the breath out of you. 

You don't honestly breath normally again until you walk off the plane with your child in your arms.

It is true.

We experienced this phenomenon a year ago today.

When we walked off the plane a year ago today with Aaron in our arms, we were not breathing.  We hadn't been breathing for so long we had lost track.  The walkways to get out of that airport seemed endless.  The red tape we had to wade through was pure torture.  Our longing to pass through the gates was beyond measure.  When we finally rounded the corner and saw our loving family and friends standing there waiting for us, when we fell into their arms holding on to them for dear life - only then did we begin to take our first real breath.   Only then.

You don't breath after you jump off that cliff.

You don't truly breath again until you are standing safe and secure on American soil.

A year ago today we stood with Aaron on American soil.

A year ago today we Commenced Breathing!

P.S.  Tonight we get to celebrate Aaron's One Year Home Anniversary in a very unusual way....

We sure could use some prayers for this unusual celebration....

Rob and I have been asked to speak before hundreds of Shriners and their wives at a banquet tonight.  We are sharing Aaron's story as it relates to Shriners.  Invited to the banquet are going to be representatives from all the major media outlets in the region.  All of them. 

To say we are a bit nervous would be putting it mildly.

As I said, we sure could use your prayers.