Garden of Hope

Christmas 2009 is one to be remembered as the newest Abrazo family gets to know each other. May the bonds grow strong as the each part of the triad lives, laughs, and loves together. Merry Christmas!

Of all of the things I am thankful for in my life, it is the decision of one precious birthmom and the adoption of my precious son. What a beautiful way to remind us all of our blessings and blessed opportunity to revel in the blessings of others. Best wishes to all of the newly formed families complete with their extended families, too.

Amanda, I am so happy for you, Arianna, and her birthmom. I cannot even imagine the beat that your heart missed when you saw her post! God is good.

Wow, three brand new Abrazo families formed this week. Thank you, God for answered prayers and greatful, love-filled hearts.

What a devastating tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with all those who loved him.

I love this from the Atkins article: just shows that he ended up where he was meant to be all along. I believe that. He was meant to be with the Atkins family. Sweet!

So many new families coming together. Congratulations to all!

NO KIDDING! Let's all send letters to People Mailbag and educate the new dad about the appropriate language to use for the sake of his son and all of the uninformed people who will read his comments and think they are okay. Don't get me wrong, I am really glad that Nathan has found a home with a dad who obviously thinks he's wonderful and desires to parent, but it seems there should be a better way to announce the news and tell about the event where he first met his son.

Congratulations to the newest Abrazo babes and their entire families!

I thought the same thing, Susan.

Thank you, Lord for revealing your plans to six brand new parents. Congratulations to everyone!

Congratulations Denver and Tracey! God's plan was finally revealed to you and it is a glorious one. The bittersweet persona of adoption is something that so many do not understand. You have great empathy that will surely bouy Lathan's first mom. You have been SO supportive and positive. Now it's your turn to revel in the miracle that is your son. Congratulations.

Mari, As I said before.....more of a miracle than can be comprehended.

Your daughter and granddaughter are even bigger miracles than previously thought. What an amazing story. Your granddaughter will cherish it some day.

Mari, I have just read your posts about the journey you and your daughter have made from the beginning for the first time. It is a griping story told honestly and with great feeling. I was completely drawn in and couldn't stop reading until I finished it all even though I should have been sleeping. You have so many gifts, Mari. First and foremost you are an extraordinary mother. Your thought processes and intereactions with your daughter in the midst of this month's long, life altering event are phenomenal. I am in awe. I am also in awe of the polished way you relate the story in such a way as to allow the reader to feel as though he or she is inside your head. The way you were able to separate yourself and your personal emotions in favor of giving your daughter the respect and the space she needed to make her own decisions at the same time supporting and providing her with information is a beautiful thing. God surely guided you. I am touched that you have chosen to share such personal parts of yourself and your family especially knowing that doing so is not within your comfort zone nor is it your usual manner. You are impacting the greater community and healing too. I want to reach through this montor and give you the biggest hug. When I first started reading, I thought that your writing should be published. I think it could and should be pubilished on its own. You have a powerful story, insight, and writing style. Thank you for sharing it with us all. I think we have a future keynote speaker in our midst. May God continue to bless and heal you as you bless others with your experience, empathy, love, and words. Jean

Congratulations to the blessing of blue and all of the grown-ups who are head over heels in love with him and each other.

Bridget, You and your family are in my heart and prayers. Your Abrazo family is here if you need anything. Hugs, Jean

Hi Kristin, Welcome to the Forum and the Abrazo family. Your sweet little boy has won our hearts and we're all so very glad you have decided to be his forever family! Congratulations and God bless you. Jean

I am at a loss for words. May God carry all who love Efrain as they work to come to terms wtih their life altering loss. I am so saddened and sorry to learn of this horrible turn of events.

Bri can be short for Brianna, Brianne, or some other name. I think you should name your child whatever you want and not worry about the other. You could always refer to them as your precious little cheese instead of hams. I hope you're laughing. No offense intended.

Matt and Melinda, Thank you for sharing your wonderful and devine journey to your son. There are no hard and fast rules about the adoption journey with the exception of the one that says it happens in God's time. Somtimes the devine engineering is clearly visible and other times it's subtle and under it all. Each story has God's signature on it and each moves at the rate of perfection.

I'm with Heather in hoping and praying that baby Noah has finally found his forever family. Congratulations to them and the first family as they bond and begin life as a bigger better family across the miles. Miracles never cease.

This is SO true. Perhaps the book should go on the reading list of PIW.