For seven weeks, we carried with us everywhere we went a picture
of a precious little girl with a bald head, almond eyes, and a scrutinizing
stare. We showed the picture to everyone we met, we even spoke to it when
we were alone. Mostly, we studied it until the images was as clear in our
minds as it was in the photograph. When we finally had her in our arms, we
noticed she had acquired a head full of hair and she had grown a bit. But
she still had those inscrutable eyes and there was no doubt that we were
completely in love with her.
Traveling through China or going through the months of
waiting with Cradle of Hope didn't help us to love our daughter, Isabel Yuekang.
Yes, Cradle certainly had made the process as simple as possible. The
agency kept us informed at every step. Colleen and Kate displayed endless
amounts of patience and kindness when we called just to bug them for 'their best
guess' on the timing of our referral. Every call or email was answered
promptly and graciously. Cradle spelled out thoroughly every detail of our
travel to and through China. And the coordinator led us with efficiency, warmth, and authority through her country with
her quiet, gentle manner.
Certainly, we would love Isabel no matter how we were brought to
her. But we couldn't imagine making this journey without Cradle of
Hope. Even now, we are still realizing the full scope of the benefits we
have reaped from this relationship. Through our adoption connections, we
are learning that Cradle of Hope's adoptive parents are often more informed and
received more support than so many other people going through this process.
Cradle of Hope, Colleen and Kate are names spoken with
reverence in our family. That may sound extreme, but when you go through
the international adoption process, the peaks and valleys, the exhilaration and
desperation, these are the folks you want holding your hand.
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