Comforts

This treasured sweetheart is sick today. The best part of the deal is snuggling all day on the couch and watching Disney favorites. I have been thinking we are overdue on giving up the binky. But she loves it so much and clearly today is just not the day to give it up.

It's interesting to me exactly which blanket and binky are her favorite. The bink and blanky she loves most--the ones she asks for over all others, were given to her by her first foster mom, Judith. Judith took her home from the hospital and took amazing good care of her for her first month before she came to us. Judith took her to the doctor for all her visits and shots. She got her insurance all set up so she could have the best care available to her. Judith bought her a whole layette, toys, blankets, bottles, diapers, diaper bag . . . everything she needed and more. Two of the blankets were handmade quilts. Scarlett's favorite is one of them. It was Judith who stayed up nights with her that first month. She made sure she was eating and thriving. Judith got her on a schedule and helped her gain two pounds that first month. This is more than Scarlett has ever gained in a month. At birth Scarlett was 5 lbs, 11 oz. At 30 months she weighs just barely 25 lbs.

The thing is, Judith did all this knowing she would just have Scarlett for a short time, no more than a month. She knew she would likely never see Scarlett again. She knew Scarlett would never remember her or perhaps never ever know who she even was. It was a completely selfless gift to some one she will never know or see grow up.

I had a chance to visit with Judith when we picked Scarlett up. I asked her how many babies she had done this for. She told me she had been doing this for over 20 years. She said probably over 200 babies, but she wasn't counting and wasn't sure. (I almost cried!) Judith's own children are grown and raised. She loves babies and this is her gift and service to humanity.

She asked me if I wanted to adopt Scarlett or if I was just planning to be a foster mom. I told her I did want to keep her and adopt her, but it wasn't a sure deal and for now I was her foster mom. Judith said, "Well, never mind that. This baby will be adopted. I know it. There has been no contact and she needs a family to love her. Now this is just between you and me, not any social workers or the county, (our social worker was there listening too) I will pray every night and hope that you get to adopt her. If you are a Christian woman, you should pray for that too. This baby should be yours. You love her like she is."

Judith's words stayed with me over the next few uncertain months. (Along with the words and prayers of so many) I hung on to them and hoped she was right. It comforted me to know she was praying for the same thing I was. Her strength and faith helped me to be strong.

No doubt Judith's prayers were answered. I am eternally grateful to Judith, her prayers and her gift to our family. There is no doubt in my mind that Judith has a spot well prepared for her in Heaven. I have a hard time imagining a sweeter, more Christ-like woman than Judith.

The world needs more Judiths. Judith inspires me to be a better me.

So here we sit on the couch today healing and getting better. Enjoying the bink and blanky from Judith.  (I wonder if somehow, in some way, they remind Scarlett of Judith and her time with her.) We are feeling and remembering the love she gave us. We love you Judith.