Thursday, July 29, 2010

A Pause for the Cause

Look familiar?

Take a closer look.

That was me, at 3 weeks old, when I first arrived at the Chiquitines Center for Adoptions. I was in bad shape. I had so many medical issues on top of the fact that I was born prematurely at 28 weeks that not too many people gave me a shot at making a full recovery, much less at being healthy enough to even consider adopting a full-grown set of parents.

But I made it. It wasn't easy, or without help. And that's who I'm dedicating today's post to. To all of those people who helped me get from where I was, to where I am.

Mommy always tells me that I am here because God put me here. That very well may be true, but there were also a lot of Guardian Angels that helped make the journey possible.

It was you who took care of me... who nourished me... who healed me. I owe all of you my life. It is because of all of you that I am here now and able to have a chance at a future. And for that, I thank you.

Thank you Raul and Gilma Inez

Thank You Maria Fernanda

Thank you Agatha

Thank you and all of the people who work with you and do what you do. You were my miracle... my saving grace... and for that, I will thank you every single day for the rest of my life.
Okay, Raul... Gilma Inez. We are in agreement. If Esteban Joel turns out to be a football player, he'll play for the Dallas Cowboys... if he turns out to be a futbol player, he'll play for Colombia. Deal?
Maria Fernanda check this out. These are the parents that I just adopted. You see that? The Daddy looks a little scary but isn't my new Mommy beautiful?
Okay... I'll sign your yearbook but that doesn't mean that we're together or anything, okay? I'm leaving to start a new life with my adopted parents and you... will have to recover and move on from this somehow, okay?
I'm going to miss these tender moments...
Tell me the truth... when you bathe other babies, do you think of me?
Thank you, I'm going to miss you too but don't hug me too tight... Girlfriend over here is crazy jealous.
They're going to have diapers and stuff in America, right?
Yes, I'm going to miss you too, but please don't sing the Titanic song... Please don't... Oh dear God, she's singing the Titanic song.
I love you too. Hey, and thanks for that whole saving my life thing, okay?
Okay... option 1, I go meet my new parents... option 2 I stay here with you forever Maria Fernanda... what do you think?
Okay... option 1 it is. Miami, here I come.