The Dream Continues

By Joan B.

The sign next to the church read: "You're never too old to be what you might have been". So, John took a picture of me next to it with Katie. At 46, I was finally a mom. No more depressing Mothers' Days. No more envying other families.

At our ages, we thought this dream had passed us by. We had been through fertility treatments. We had also attended an orientation meeting at Wide Horizons. To us, both seemed unnatural ways to have a child, so we decided not to have children. But no matter what we did, or where we went, a void remained in our lives. Then, when I was critiquing a friend's parenting, John said: "Let's just go get our own."

China was our clear preference because of the excellent reputation. So, two years and one month later, we were at Wide Horizons looking at a picture of our beautiful Katherine Niannian. And then we knew that the childless years, the fertility treatments that didn't work, the years of indecision, were because we were supposed to wait for her.

Two months later we were on our way to China with seven other couples that we now consider family. One day, we were climbing the Great Wall; the next touring the Forbidden City; and the third day, we became parents. When they handed her to me, I thought I would cry, but she was crying enough for all of us. I comforted her, saying: "I love you", "Don't be afraid" and "Sweet baby girl", all in Chinese. She attached to me right away, but she was miserable and introverted for two days. As she fell asleep lying on my chest at night, I felt she was such a part of me. On the third day, we gave her a bath. As soon as she touched the water, she smiled. From that moment on, she was happy.

We spent the next 10 days touring China. We fell in love with Katie and China, as well. We were in awe of its beauty, culture and traditions. Mostly, we loved the people. They were kind and friendly to us and very loving to the children. Katie became ours legally in China, but a part of her will always belong to that beautiful, wonderful place.

Katie is the light of our lives. She is extroverted, sweet, stubborn, affectionate, and has the best sense of humor and fun. My first Mothers' Day was the best day of my life. Wide Horizons has been a joy from the very first day to this one. We have applied for our second child from China. The dream continues.

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