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This Child
I first became aware of the situation in China in 1996 when I saw a
documentary on TV (yes, that documentary!). I thought it was sad and
tragic and it helped plant the seed in my mind that I'd like to adopt
a baby girl in China some day, but it really wasn't personal to
until now.
When I look at Amberlyn's sweet face I can not stand the thought that
this child was abandoned on the day she was born by her birth
parents. This child could have spent her entire childhood in a
Chinese orphanage, without luxuries or comfort items, having only the
most basic needs met. The reality of it is almost more than I can
bear.
This child, the one who sucks her thumb, who rubs her head when she's
tired, who smiles a heart-stealing smile and has a wonderful giggle.
This child, who I love and now know as my own daughter, is one of the
thousands of baby girls abandoned simply because they had the
misfortune of being born female in China at this time in history.
This baby this One! The situation in China is so much more real and
personal now. It's not just the plight of little girls in China, half
a world away, random and anonymous. This baby, the one I tickle, rock
and kiss every day was abandoned. Until just 3 weeks ago she lived in
an orphanage in ChaoHu. The one, who has changed my life and who has
already brightened my days. This child, from China, who is now living
in America.
The baby girl I know as Amberlyn Rose has me wrapped around her
little finger. She, who is training me to be a good mother to her, is
reminding me of how all consuming a small baby is. The little girl
with the pretty face, deep watchful eyes, thin and strong body. This
child, who has a firm grip on my hand and even firmer grip on my
heart. The enormity of the string of circumstances that had to line
up "just so" in order for us to be together has to be acknowledged.
Suddenly, I am grateful to the Department of Justice in Sacramento
for losing my fingerprints and causing my homestudy to be delayed by
6 months. Now I am glad that it took "forever" (to quote my 6-
year-old daughter) to complete the dossier. We waited "over a million
years" (in 6-year-old time) for the referral. We flew in a plane "for
days" to get to China, then had to wait even longer to go to Hefei to
meet her. Yet I know that had we waited one day less, or one day
more, I would not have the honor and privilege of knowing this child.
This child who is "the prettiest, most special baby in all of China"
(again, through the eyes of a proud sister, Waverly).
Somehow, whether through fate, destiny, red threads, good fortune or
devine intervention, I am her Mom. It's my job to love her, care for
her, provide for her and give her a sense of belonging. I will
protect her as fiercely and gently as I can. As she grows up she will
know that she is cherished and wanted. She has a loving, forever
family.
Yes, there are thousands of healthy infant girls in Chinese
ophanages. They all deserve a home and a family of their own. Every
single one of them. What I do doesn't make a significant difference
on a global level. I can't really do much to improve the
circumstances or change the lives of the orphaned and abandoned
children in China. I certainly can't take care of them all. I know
that. However, I can make a difference to the life of this child and
she definitely makes a difference in my life. Zhou ChaoHua has a
family now. I have a beautiful baby daughter. She has a Sister. She
has a Mom. She is home.
I am blessed. We are blessed.
Dart in San Diego, Proud Mom to the A&W Girls
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