For seven years, maybe more, I knew I'd sat out a pregnancy. At the time I thought I was just too tired to deal with it.
And I was.
But there was a little girl that I now know was being born in Ethiopia who would fill that slot. For four years I referred to her as My April 2005.
Princess is June 2001, Frodo is May 2003, Charming is March 2007. Do you see the pattern? Most people don't and think I'm kind of a freak that I do. I'm OK with that. But I am asking you to acknowledge that I saw and felt a gap and looked for the missing link.
Today I call her several names. You know of her as Iris.
In September I made a post on Facebook, if not my blog, that said something like "today is the day we have chosen for our daughter's birthday." It was easiest, having her turn 6 in September so that she wouldn't be an old kindergartener.
Aside: after having met her? The child is 35 in a 7 year old body. I wouldn't have been fooling anyone.
But in my heart, she was my April 2005. Not because she was. She was "6 years." The birthday we'd been given as best guess was May 1, 2005 and that was close enough for me.
And then a couple months ago I got a short note that said her birthday had been determined to be April 10, 2005.
After so many filled out forms with September 7, after best guesses at May 1, after 6 going on 36, she is the child I've waited for.
And, dang it, I miss her.
But missing her birthday today hurts me.
The sun comes up
Its a new day dawning
Its time to sing your song again
What ever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes
Bless the lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship his holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I worship your holy name
--Matt Redman
1 comment:
Oh, my. I'm crying right now- for a few reasons. I wish you could be with her today. I wish I could give you a hug today. And I am reminded how much God loves us. April 2005. Bless the Lord.
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