One thing that I can be thankful for that I’ve gained through adoption is patience. I’ve always been told I was a pretty patient person. Even as a child I can remember adults commenting on my ability to sit quietly and to wait my turn. Yet, I also struggle with the internal feeling of impatience (don’t we all).

Adoption WILL knock all that impatience out of you. (Or the wait will drive you insane!) If anyone ever alludes to the idea that adopting a child is easier than having one biologically…patiently, kindly…LAUGH IN THEIR FACE! It is NOT easier! The paperwork, the red tape, the waiting…and waiting…and waiting.

Our adoption journey began in the summer of 1996, and LuLu was placed in my arms in June 1998 after almost exactly 2 years of waiting. It was a time which cultivated patience. I had waited the usual 9 months for KayKay and an incredibly trying year in 1993 to marry Super Dad, but 2 years of waiting surpassed all my previous records.

Ironically, just because you think you’re good at something…and if you ask me, I would say I’m good at patience…doesn’t mean it doesn’t get tested. In fact, I suspect God purposely pushes things to let me exercise and grow my ability to wait. Since June of 1998, I have been patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) for the last 8 years searching for the right answers to help LuLu.

Our latest patience trial has literally been a trial…the due process hearing. You know, the one the law says happens within 45 days of filing that has dragged on from a February filing to hearing dates through September and is still awaiting the judge’s decision. Actually, now that the testimony is over, I go whole days when I don’t even think about the fact we’re still waiting on an answer (remember, I’ve had lots of patience practice.) Usually it is some friend who reminds me by asking about it. Yesterday it was my mother. “I guess you haven’t heard anything…” her voice trailed off. “Oh that,” I replied. “No, I haven’t…how many weeks has it been?”

Right there and then I realized how thankful I am that patience has grown so strongly in my life. Through this patience, I have gained so many things worth waiting for and a peace that knows that good things come to those who wait.

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