TISSUES & TEARS
"A fresh box in every room of the house. A full box in every room of the house. Yes, it is one of the essentials for those seeking to adopt. Be sure to pick up an abundant supply and never be without this item. Use them each hour, use them throughout each day, use them at night, and carry them in your pocket. They are convenient, disposable, compact, and sanitary. Reduce mascara runs and make-up smears. Keep your lenses clean and reduce facial salt residue." The commercial camera zooms in for a close up, back lighting illuminates the product, side lighting adds effect, and the soft background music builds to a crescendo. Words in capital letters pop onto the screen in dramatic fashion, each set of words growing in size for emphasis. "It's…it's…it's fresh…it's full…it's clean…it's compact…it's environmentally safe…it's an essential--yet convenient…a box of tissues!"
We should buy stock in a major paper company--we use so much paper at Christian Adoption, and we use lots of tissues too. Shedding tears and using tissues is pretty much a daily routine. While traveling the roads of infertility, I think I used a fresh box each day. When in pursuit of adoption, I graduated to 1-½ boxes per day, and once we were blessed with Danielle, I gladly used a couple boxes per day. Lots of tears and lots of tissues. Eddie, bless his heart, has often referred to the daily flow as the "waterfall, the fountain, and with a sigh--here we go again!" Although a substantial amount of my tears are now tears of joy, there are tears of compassion and ache for those still seeking to adopt. During the course of a typical day, Christian Adoption will receive at least one call that comes flowing with tears. Birthmothers call crying with despair and fear, birth grandparents call crying hurt and confused, and adoptive couples call behaving bravely initially--then breaking down in tears without reservation. I understand their tears and their pain, and I often cry with them. I disguise it while I am on the phone--I need to be strong--but the box of fresh tissues on top of my monitor and by the phone are there for a reason. Sometimes the tears come after I hang up the phone or when I pray for that person with a sincere and earnest heart or when I read E-mail or when I am ready to pull my graying hair out from the overwhelming need, heartache, and frustration associated with adoption. Countless times, Eddie has come into the office and looked at me aghast--as I chat away with two mascara smeared eyes and cheeks! (Who has time to re-apply makeup 14 times a day?)
So, to those that are involved in any aspect of adoption--have a good cry whenever it is needful. It's okay. You're not losing your mind--just some saline. It can be cleansing to the soul, soothing to the eyes, lessen the tension in your mind, and help you deal with the moment. Then use as many tissues as necessary. You can always buy more.
For more information please
read
Someday
and
Woman.
We encourage you to
prayerfully consider registering with our service, and/or writing to
us.
adoption@christianadoption.com
A non-profit Christian and Internet
service ministry. We're helping others in the adoption
process.
1.800.277.7006 620.251.4405
Eddie & Deborah S. Hill P.O. Box 243 Coffeyville, KS 67337
www.christianadoption.com adoption@christianadoption.com
