We just passed Ruthie's Gotcha day a couple weeks ago. Ruthie's true Gotcha day is Christmas Eve. With it being such a big holiday, we decided to celebrate her Gotcha day in January, on the date some important paperwork was done. So as her Gotcha day came closer she started asking some questions. One of her questions was "how big was I when you got me?" She is only 4 years old and it was hard to really explain just how big she was at 15 months. I did my best to explain, and her day came and went. We celebrated and had a great day.
Then just about a week ago Ruthie and I were sitting at Costco, waiting for a prescription to be filled and Ruthie had wanted a hotdog. So we got one and she was eating it holding on to her new stuffed Giraffe she got on our trip to San Fransico. We were talking and a woman came up and asked if she could sit with us, since all the tables were full. She had her little baby granddaughter with her and the baby was VERY interested in Ruthie's stuffed Giraffe. I said "of course" and she sat beside me. We introduced ourselves and talked a little small talk. Ruthie was pretty shy, as usual and I could tell she was watching me close to make sure this woman was "OK". I asked how old her granddaughter was. She said 14 months. I looked at Ruthie and said "Ruthie look right here, this is about how big you were on you Gotcha day!" Ruthie looked at the baby and gave me a smile and I was happy to have this chance to show her how big she was...and then it hit me. I wondered if the woman beside me was thinking I was nuts. I tend to forget that just because our family uses adoption terms easily and comfortably, not everyone else does and I wondered what she thought. Before I could even really wonder, this sweet wonderful woman gasped and smiled at Ruthie and asked her "do you have a Gotcha day, are you adopted?" Ruthie shyly looked at her and nodded while stuffing her little face with Costco hotdog. The woman then said "I am adopted too!" Ruthie's eyes shot back up at her and Ruthie smiled. The woman said "I just LOVE being adopted, isn't it so great!!!" Ruthie seemed excited at this and was paying close attention. Ruthie said "yeah I got Taco Bell!!!" (we let them choose where we eat on their Gotcha day) The woman was so friendly and excited about adoption and had such a WONDERFUL way with Ruthie. She had Ruthie talking and smiling about adoption and I sat back and watched, as a perfect stranger helped my little girl see adoption in such a wonderful way!!!! She truly was a blessing to me and to my daughter. My littles are young and we are trying to set a great and positive foundation about adoption and this sweet woman helped me do that with my littlest one. We just never know how we will bless others. I am so thankful this woman took the time to speak to my girl and bless us both!!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment