Visit with Zoe’s birth family

A week or two ago, Zoe’s birth grandma asked me if they could come for a visit.  We were really excited to hear from her and said that we would love to see them.  Zoe’s birth grandma, grandpa, and one of her uncles came over.  It was so great to see them.  Zoe was literally jumping up and down and squealing when I told her they had just pulled up in front of the house. 

We visited, shared what has been going on in our lives, and gave them an early Christmas gift. 

Zoe had worked on a handmade ornament with me, and we had put a picture of her in another ornament for them to hang on their tree.  We also had Christmas pictures taken, so we included one of those and a couple other handmade projects.  They brought Zoe a gift that she almost didn’t take off for bed – a Snow White costume and tiara.  They also brought her a Snow White tea set that her birth grandpa picked out and a cookie-making kit for all of us.  Zoe had a great time playing with her uncle.  It was so cute to watch them. 

After visiting at our house, we went out to lunch (and yes, Zoe wore her costume to the restaurant!) and spent some more time catching up.  I am so grateful to be able to spend the time with them, and so happy that they can see how much Zoe is growing up.  I wish her birth mom had been able to be here, too, with all of us.  She is still out of state for school.  We miss her so much.

Having an open adoption has been such a great thing for our family.  We are so glad that they are a part of our lives and that we are a part of theirs. 

Missing someone at Christmas

I dropped Zoe off at preschool, ran to Target, and drove home. As I turned down our street, I saw an ambulance sitting there at the base of someone’s driveway.  My heart quickened as I thought of the people inside the house.  I don’t know them, but I can only imagine how scared they must be if someone was so sick or hurt that they had to call 911.  I said a prayer as I drove by that I hoped everyone was going to be okay. 

It made me start to think about my Aunt Pat and how she had a heart attack right before the holidays.  She was my mom’s sister and my Godmother.  She thought she had indigestion or something, and it turned out to be much worse.   She was in the hospital over Christmas and passed away a few weeks afterwards.  My Uncle Johnny, Aunt Pat’s husband, passed away days before Christmas, too.

I miss my aunt, uncle, and my grandparents so much, especially this time of year. So many things remind me of them.  I have my grandma’s Christmas tree (that my mom made)  in Zoe’s room.  It’s topped with a little snowflake ‘star’ that she crocheted.  (I pulled it out of her room for this picture because she was napping when I took it.)

And I was just telling Zoe yesterday how my grandpa would have laughed at how she seems to be hungrier lately; he used to say to us, “Are you eating again?!”  Making cookies always reminds me of my Aunt Pat and how she’d make bon-bon cookies – they were my favorite.  I can picture my Uncle Johnny laughing at all of the silly things Zoe does.  My aunt, uncle, and my grandparents would love Zoe so much.  I know they do; I just wish they could be here with us so that she could get to know them.  They were all such special people. 

I don’t say it often enough, but I really appreciate my family.  I hope they know how I feel.  I am so glad that they are so involved in our life and with our daughter.  I am very lucky to have them.