A Hard Reality Made To Face

This evening we opened a new bottle of wine for dinner. As custom Aly and I toasted. Tonight Aly toasted.

Her toast brought forth a reality I was very much aware of but for some reason tonight it crystallized like never before. It is with me still and will be for a long time.

Aly's toast was to the children in the Chinese orphanages that do not participate in the International Adoption program.

Think of this however you wish. For me, it was like a shot to the heart. Many of us have read the stories of the biological mothers that travel a great distance to "leave" their daughters in the city or gates of an orphanage that offers the "hope" that the child WILL BE afforded the opportunity of a possible international adoption. The hope of a future for their child.

It was a heart rendering toast. A heart breaking toast. A toast I will never forget and one that reminds me just how much is required of us when Alyzabeth An becomes our daughter.

Alyzabeth An's family will do everything in their (our) power to ensure she realizes all the hopes and future blessings first envisioned for her.

Whatever it takes. Whatever...It takes.....

Love is a strength that has no limits. No boundaries. No nationalities.

I felt humbled and inspired tonight.

I felt Alyson's love for her daughter tonight and a love for those daughters whose futures may forever be left unfulfilled. That hurts. A reality that overwhelms.

Our prayers and our toast to those daughters will never leave our hearts.

Ever...