Twice Blessed

These past few months have been busy, but gratifying for the things that have happened. Along with wonderful weather and family functions, there was an additional celebration---a first for our family. My out-of-town daughter, Patti, had successfully fulfilled all the requirements for the adoption of two children. She will be a single mom to a brother and sister, Amanda, 8 and Nicholas, 7. 

The kids arrived about a year ago and have lived with Patti in their brand new location. They have learned about their extended families, life in a new state, the workings of their newly acquired schedules and the friendship they have nurtured with the family dog, Nala. The pre-adoption regulations were carefully followed and life took on new meaning as their habits and rules merged into their everyday, workable transition. It was a learning process on both sides of their new status and lifestyle.

The kids started their school year, lived like a real family and got to know and adapt as families do. When they started calling my daughter, “Mom”, the tears flowed on both sides. Although some things took a while for adjustment, they reached common ground in changes that had to be made. It took time, patience and lots of understanding, but it was all towards a goal of finally being a family. 

Throughout the year, it was on Patti’s shoulders to take care of all the paperwork, visits, reports and various pertinent requirements that needed to be completed. Having finished all the necessary requests, the plans for the adoption could be finalized. The official date of this celebration was in July of this past year, with the whole family gathering in a suburb of Cleveland. For this occasion, everyone was invited to assemble at an outdoor pavilion. At a pre-scheduled time, the out-of-town judge called on the phone and we all heard the questions asked and the answers given by my daughter. A tearful crowd clapped when the final words were spoken that two more children were now part of our family. 

Even though Patti and the kids live in another state, they visit us when they can and we do the same. Our family grew not only in people, but in happiness, admiration and positive focus on all that we share with one another. It’s a good feeling that comes with any new additions to the current status of our lives. And in this particular case, our family was increased and positively blessed twice. 

Lizabeth Braskie

I'm a retired Sun Newspaper typist. I've been writing freelance articles for the past twenty five years. Some of them are personal experiences having to do with my family of eight children and a total of twenty grandchildren. They keep me busy with a variety of subject matter.

Read More on
Volume 9, Issue 11, Posted 4:48 PM, 11.01.2017