Oh happy happy day!
Funny as it may sound though, it started me down memory lane. . .
To think that nearly 12 years ago, I left for my first trip to TLC and South Africa. Little did I know just how much my life would change - how rich it would become!
http://www.tlc.org.za/
April 2004 - My first trip to TLC
I fell instantly and completely head over heels in love with the babies
Many would arrive only weighing 1.5 or 1.6 kgs (3.3 to 3.5 pounds)
I returned to TLC the next two summers and fell more in love each time. . .
June 2005
June 2006
How do you not lose your heart to little ones like these?
I decided that after I graduated from University, I would return to TLC for 2 years.
I thought "long enough to be helpful, yet long enough to get homesick and want to return home".
God must have been laughing at my best laid plans. . .
It turned out that 2 years was "just long enough to lose my heart for good!"
A few short months after arriving at TLC in 2007 I lost my heart to an angel.
Her name was Monica Eve
She had been previously fostered, but she was HIV + and as she became more ill the family was not able to care for her.
The first day she arrived I made a bottle for her, and settled in the feed her.
She grabbed hold of my little finger, looked into my eyes, and I felt an instant connection.
It was like nothing I've ever experienced before or since.
From that day on, she held my heart in her little hands.
A month later I received a call from Canada to say that I had won a "Name the Foal Contest".
They were flying myself and a second person to Spruce Meadows Canada for a week all inclusive VIP treatment at the Spruce Meadows masters show jumping tournament.
One of Thea's son's (from TLC) was an avid horseman, and he traveled to Canada with me to enjoy a week of horse extravaganza!
The two of us posing in front of a HUGE Canada jump
My Mom came to visit during my week at Spruce Meadows.
Calgary is a lot closer than South Africa!
During the week I gathered the courage to tell my Mom that I had fallen in love with a little baby girl,
and that she really, really needed a Mommy,
and that I thought I was it!
My Mom was amazing - instead of freaking out, and saying what?????
Her response was "well, one thing you might want to consider is that maybe you should adopt two children. Then they could be a support for one another as they grow".
Do I say enough how much I love my Mom??? :)
So, I returned to South Africa with an excited, and happy heart.
I had no idea what an adoption over there might entail, but I was ready to start.
Once I arrived back, I found out that my Monica Eve had taken a turn for the worse.
She now had a collapsed lung, and was really struggling to breath.
The virus was just too strong in her little body.
Over the next couple of weeks I loved on her, and prayed for a miracle to happen.
Sometimes, our prayers aren't answered. . .at least not in the way we think they should be.
The day she became a heavenly angel was one of the hardest days of my life.
I already had hopes and dreams for her.
Love in abundance for her.
A grandma ready and waiting. . .
I felt cheated,
and confused,
how could this be?
Looking back, I see that even though time was short, much too short,
I loved her fully, and richly and she will forever be a part of who I am.
She was my first love,
and she opened the door to my heart.
Because of her, I am now Mom to 4 other amazing, shining treasures.
And I believe, that one day, I'll look into her shining eyes, and hold her once more!
