I wonder...

As I sit here typing this, Shannon and Norah are snuggled up together in the bed taking a nap. This little girl is amazing. In the last 18 months, she has been loved by her birth parents. She was obviously loved by her nanny. And now she is loved by us. She was born into one family, taken care of by another and now we will run the rest of the race by her side. We are the lucky ones. The blessed ones.
I wonder what her birth mother was thinking that July morning. I wonder if she kissed the same cheeks that I kiss every day. I wonder if she looked into those eyes and quietly whispered "I love you" like I do everyday. How hard that must have been for her to leave her. To hope and pray that someone honorable would hear her tiny cry and take her someplace safe. They did. We know his name and where he works. We would love to thank him but that cannot happen. I could never imagine leaving her alone. Leaving her fate up to a complete stranger. I am only going to believe that she was left so that someone could give her the medical help that she needed because her parents could not. They tried to take care of her for six months. They did the best that they could until they could no longer. I never really gave it that much thought until she was placed in my arms the very first time. She had a mother and father. Her mother carried her for 9 months and gave birth to her. I am sure she cried when she saw her beautiful face for the first time. How could she not?? To wake up to her for 6 months. To love her so much that she gave her up so she could be taken care of. How honorable. Was she sitting behind a bush or on a bench watching and waiting for someone to pick her up. I am sure that she was. I am sure that she cried tears of joy and sadness.
I look at her now resting so peacefully amidst all that she has been through. To loose her first two loves. I could not imagine the pain that her little heart must have felt. And to be able to smile through it all is amazing to me. She will touch a million lives with that smile and that courage. And through it all... She will be loved...