Perspective

Last week, our cute little dog, Penny, was very sick. So I brought her to the vet and they did emergency surgery. She was home with stitches the following day. She is recovering and back to her normal self. Yes, it cost us too much. But she has been a family member for nearly 10 years.
I balled my eyes out. Not because I was worried about Penny. I knew she was getting care and would be fine. I cried because we take for granted that our dog will be fine. But a baby in another country dies from pneumonia. Here, in the USA, I could get superior medical attention for my dog...but could do nothing for my baby in Vietnam. Is it me, or does something seem wrong with this? And I feel powerless to do anything.

A friend emailed me and mentioned that she has friend at a refugee camp in Iraq. Her friend cannot cross the border into another country, but cannot go back to Baghdad. Again, in my naive, sheltered, suburban life, this is something I cannot even imagine. And again feel powerless to do anything about.

I know this is a blog about our adoption experience. I started it to journal and share with family & friends a happy experience in our lives. Originally the outline was to follow this: paperwork done...referral of baby received....travel dates...we are in VN loving said baby, enjoy the sites with us...baby home. Happily ever after.
But let's face it, the story took a turn somewhere. Eventually I hope it will still end with Happily Ever After. But in the mean time, reality has entered our story and put a new perspective on things.

I have two quotes that I would like to share:

Life is not the way it's supposed to be.
It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is
what makes the difference.
– Virginia Satir



Life does not have to be perfect
to be wonderful--Anonymous