One Year Ago, Today

One year ago today (August 24th), our world changed.  One year ago, on this very day, our family jumped off a cliff without looking down, a leap of faith.  One year ago, this picture rocked our world, and we could not forget what we saw, what we knew.

 A spark was lit to mark our way that would carry us through the next nine months of paperwork chasing, waiting, and unknowns.  Over the next six months, we received another picture of Sarah, and a video.

On this very day...

Sarah did not know she had a family coming for her, she followed her daily routine.  Awake at  7am, breakfast at 8, lunch at 12, nap until 3, snack at 4, supper at 7, and bed at 9.  Day in, day out, she followed this pattern.

Until, April 13, 2011.  She walked into her teacher's room, amidst adults she did not recognize and had freedom to play with all the toys for a brief ten minutes, while a couple marveled at the beautiful sight their eyes beheld. 

On this very day, her world was shaken to the core.  She now had a Mama and Papa who came every day for seven weeks to visit her.  She became a rock star in her orphanage, with daily visitors.

That on May 26, 2011, her Papa  walked her out of the orphanage gates for the last time to the other side.

Where her family waited with open arms to love her.

The change a few short months with us is remarkable.  She looks so very different, safe, secure, and loved.

One year ago today, our world changed and we cannot imagine life without Sarah.  Look at her.  She is changing lives, changing perceptions, and changing the world for better.

One year ago, on this very day...

Our  family began the journey to give a little girl a new life and love she never knew.

 We are learning as we go.  Taking one day at a time.  As her mama, I run over in my mind, "Should I have done more reading, working with letters and numbers?"

  Then, I step back and realize.  Three months and look at her.  She's accomplished so much, experienced many life-changing and new adventures, and she's made friends.  She'll get there, but we'll take it one day at a time.  Knowing every day, every moment is a miracle.

For now, we celebrate on this very day, Sarah found a family.   

 

And her family FOUND her.  Her family FOUND her.

Everyday is a miracle.