Brady (Hopefully) Brabson

I can only imagine the scene taking place now at the house of my sister-in-law, Mary Brabson's tonight.

Mary and Andy have been in the domestic adoption process for over a year.

Two days ago they received a phone call that a child was born and they had been chosen to become his parents.

The nursery is prepared, walls painted yellow, giraffe's and green jungle scenes cheerfully decorating a room that has been empty, waiting, all this time.

I imagine that they are running around, trying to think of any last minute things they possibly might need to do or buy before their son comes home.

Many families receive a ninth month period of preparation. Andy and Mary have been given a few days to prepare for this homecoming.

I can see Andy speeding through Toy-r-Us, tossing items into a cart, anxious, nervous, in love.

I can see Mary walking into the silent nursery and imagining what sounds will fill it in just a matter of days...crying, laughter, grunts, and giggles. Soon the sounds of life will fill up that little room.

They have set their love on little Brady, with his thick head of Hispanic hair, and tiny little features.

Today, Brady is in ICU with pnemonia. He is expected to continue to recover and may go HOME later this week.

As much as Andy and Mary are in a state of preparation and excitement, they are also entirely vulnerable to heartbreak now. Even after bringing little Brady home, his birth mother and birth father have time, through the law, to change their minds.

It is the heart struggle of every adoptive parents. On one hand we celebrate with great joy if a birth mother and birth father choose to keep their child, with love and commitment involved. On the other hand, holding a child, calling him your very own, and having to let him go is absolutely heart wrenching.

I am so proud of Andy and Mary at this moment. They are embracing the vulnerability of this bond. They are preparing regardless of the risk. They are hoping despite the fears. They are loving this child, simply to love him.

Andy and Mary are loving a child as their own simply because regardless of what occurs in the coming days his birth and life is worth celebrating, worth loving, worth the heartbreak.

In our own little home we are buzzing with excitement, lifting up prayers, printing off pictures. We are proclaiming in faith that nothing will stand against this adoption being finalized.

So many of my blog readers are adoptive parents. Please pray with us for Andy, Mary and Brady. We look forward to announcing some very good news in just a few days, that Brady became a Brabson afterall!


Andy, Mary and BRADY we love you!