Today, my baby celebrated her ninth birthday. For some reason, this day brought many thoughts of my daughter's birth family. What was happening in their lives now? As I remembered the wonderful times we had with Janelle, I thought of all the firsts her birth mother had missed: first step, first word, first soccer game and the first
solo she sang when she was seven years old.

Janelle joined our family by adoption in 1992, but her story doesn't begin there. She was born prematurely in May. Her birth mother was very ill and the family decided to make an adoption plan for their baby. Two Dutch Catholic sisters were
asked to find a home. The sisters brought Janelle to Port-au-Prince and placed her in an orphanage that places children for adoption. The baby was ill.

In our home study, we had said we would be open to considering an ill child on a case-by-case basis. We received a call telling us about Janelle and asking if we were interested in her. Of course we were interested! In a few days we received pictures and thorough medical information. It appeared that in time, she was going to be okay. Even if she continued to have special challenges, we knew we had the
resources to help her.

We had received pictures and videotapes during our time of waiting, but I knew nothing would compare to holding her. Right before Valentine's Day, Janelle was placed in my arms. She was so tiny, but when I looked into her eyes she smiled back. We cooed through our first mother-daughter conversation.

Three months after her arrival, I mailed pictures and a letter to Haiti. One picture was a professionally taken 8 by 10 portrait. I wanted the staff at the orphanage to know that Janelle was well and that I appreciated all they had done.

Today, my daughter is a bright, fun loving, high-spirited girl. As I watched her play party games with her friends, I thought of all the lives she has touched. I am proud to be her mother and grateful to her birth family for blessing me with this precious child.

Dillon International and Rainbow of Love Nursery placed Janelle with us.

Credits: Karin Price