When Six Plus Two Equals One

Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.
 - C.S. Lewis

Perhaps it's not the same for everyone, but there are certain moments in time when, regardless of how much thought and preparation a person has committed to a particular event, the moment it happens is really little more than a blur.

Such was the case when we returned to Ghana to pick up Koby and Kwame.  After months (we had last seen them in March) of waiting to bring them home, the days became hours, the hours became minutes, and finally, the minutes became seconds. 

You've spent so many waking moments imagining, wondering, thinking, and considering what the actual event would be like.  Would you breakdown, would the kids remember us, would they be emotionally distraught, and on and on and on?

Upon arrival in Ghana, we had taken a taxi to the hotel where Kofi was to bring the boys to meet us.  After a short period of time we received a call from the front desk indicating that Kofi had arrived and asking whether or not he could come up.  Of course we asked that he come up right away.

A lot of thoughts can go through an individual's mind while waiting for someone to go from the first floor to the second, though it's difficult to recollect any of them clearly. 

What we do know is that the moment the knock at the door occurred and the door was opened, two of the most excited, smiling little boys you could ever imagine came charging in with gleeful exclamations of "mommy, mommy" and ran straight into Michele's arms. 

The sense of joy, relief, and happiness is impossible to describe.  Needless to say, the boys hadn't forgotten us!

Truth be known, the reunion was not emotional draining as one might expect.  We, parents and children both, were so excited, it was perhaps more of a relief that the actual adoption process was finally culminating and a new story was beginning than it was emotionally overwhelming.

Perhaps the most difficult part of that portion of the trip was saying goodbye to Kofi.  Words can't convey what he has done for not only our family and the boys, but countless other orphans and adoptive families here in the United States and abroad.  We can't thank him enough, and may God Bless him always for the work that he performs.  He truly is doing the Lord's work.  Thank you Kofi.