more ours

"Though you say good-bye to yesterday...

may you hold it in your heart forever."

~author unknown~

I've always been a counter. A time counter in particular. I guess it's a way for me to see progress. To see where we've been. To reflect. To celebrate our successes and recognize our mistakes. To recommit and look with hope towards the future. I'm nostalgic that way. I always have been. Just ask my hubby. I am known to frequently pose questions such as "Do you remember what today is?" And he will usually humor me and try his best to recall what it is he has most likely forgotten :) We call these situations "love-tests" at our house. Sometimes he remembers. Sometimes he doesn't. It's o.k. I'll remember for the both of us :) "Kimmy-time" he calls it. Anyway, the nostalgia is here again today. It is an anniversary of sorts. One year, one month and twenty-one days. Four hundred sixteen days to be exact. What does this time mark you ask? Four hundred sixteen days marks the time that Sophie spent alone in an orphanage in China. Alone. She endured much during that time. More that I will ever fully comprehend, I'm sure.
Today, four hundred sixteen days later. Time is equal. From this day on, she will have been with us longer than she was alone in China. Sure, time doesn't erase all things. Nor would I ever want to to take all of that from her. Not at all. I pray that she grows feeling a sense of pride for the country of her birth. Proud of the culture and ancient, honored traditions. I hope that she will, in time, embrace all the wonderful and good things of China. I know that I will do all I can to ensure that she does. But I would erase the sadness, the loneliness, the hunger and the pain. And anything else that may have hurt her little heart during that time. She is amazingly strong, and oh, so brave.

So today, in the words of my friend Ellie, today you are "more ours". I really don't think we could love you more, Sophie. You are our daughter.

Forever.

And I feel so blessed.