We've been working diligently on each page. We were lucky to find a pdf document on an adoption forum that has pre-done life book pages. It makes it easy for us, so we're not starting from scratch. T can fill in the pages with her memories. We're thankful for the road map others have left for us who have traveled down similar paths.
We try to complete a page or two each time we sit down. We've learned more about our girl each time we do this. Some times, it's painful. There are tears, and other times it's joyful looking back at her memories. My heart breaks at many of the memories she has lost (in trauma and age). We had to leave a whole page blank because we have no information on early years mile stones (first steps, first words, first hair cut, etc.). No baby pictures or even elementary pictures. The earliest picture we have is from when she was 10 years old (leaving 5th grade). It just reminds us how important it is to preserve the memories of now.
There are some days that she just doesn't want to do work on it or wants to give up. It's a delicate balancing act that we're playing in encouraging her to preserve the memories and not push her too far into past. At this point, it has been successful, and today she was able to write two letters (one to Bio Mom and one to Bio Dad). She expressed her feelings, hurt, and disappoint (as much as a 12 year old can). She ended each letter with her prayer for them. It amazes me how forgiveness has such a healing effect on the soul. A beautiful picture of Christ's sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins.
I recommend the life book process for adopting families. It's so important to have a story for each child to tell. It provides a little glimpse of their past (even if it's painful). It tells them who they are what they've made it through. A story of strength, resilience, and triumph. Even in those painful parts, God was there loving, guiding, and protecting.
More updates on life:
1. School is out. T is diligently reading (with much prompting from mom) her summer reading books (school and mom assigned :)). I believe T's words were, "I wish my mom wasn't a principal." HaHa! Sorry, girl!
2. She leaves for Word of Life Camp on Sunday to spend a week learning from God's Word and having a blast.
3. We leave for a long family vacation with both sides of the family the day after she returns from camp.
4. T earned 6 academic achievement certificates at her end of the year awards ceremony.
5. T was released from adoption transition counseling! She loved her counselor, and she was a great support to our family. Thankful for the mental health professionals that invest in adoption and foster care (not an easy field but thankful for them).
6. T's hair is final long enough to straighten. She has been begging for months. We absolutely love the curly hair God gave her, but we indulged the teenage whom. It turned out very cute!
7. T went to her first Rays game on Monday night with her dad, Gigi, and Papouli. 14 innings and didn't fall asleep. Developing a love of the game like her dad!
