Recently, we asked again. I think DHS was just fed up with us by this time, because the answer was different. This time, it was "maybe". The reason Angie's case did not include a plan for her adoption is because of her significant medical and developmental needs. The support we have received from the foster care system allowed us to get the therapies and medical care that Angie needs. She has needed so much and her future is still uncertain, so we have understood the state's hesitation. But, today, the "maybe" turned into a "yes". YES!!!!!!!!!!!
Adoption from foster care is complicated, especially for a child like Angie. I will not bore you with the details but there is something important you need to understand...........as ecstatic as we are about adopting Angie, we also recognize her family's loss. We were given a gift today. Angie's biological mother agreed to relinquish her parental rights so we can adopt Angie and become her forever family. She didn't have to. Chances are we still would have been able to adopt, but it would have been different because we would feel that we had taken something away from her other mother. Instead, what we want most in the world was given to us. I don't know about you, but I cannot imagine giving up my rights to a child I grew and delivered. In my opinion, it is most selfless act imaginable and she will carry the weight of her decision always. I have run out of words to describe my gratitude, but I hope she knows.
As for Angie, she will get what she has wanted most, and we didn't even know it. Angie will have a forever family and she will grow up drenched in the love of two families. She deserves this, and so much more.
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