Tuesday, August 31, 2010

black and white Wednesday ~ seven years

There is only one happiness in life - to love and to be loved.
~ George Sand

Grace ffday

Can you tell that's her?
Can you see she still has that beautiful mouth, the same eyes and those elegant long fingers?
We met her exactly 7 years ago and it seems like yesterday.


7thff day color WM

I can remember every single detail.

The moment she was brought in the room.
 How it was so quiet...there were no sounds (or maybe it just seemed that way?)
Time stood still for a few seconds.
That first little sweet smile, and how she reached out to me.
I took her in my arms and it felt like she'd always been there.
 I didn't want to cry because I thought it might scare her,
being aware of what she'd been through that eventful day.
My tears of joy came later.


7thff day blw 5 WM

Her life and ours have changed immensely since
that late Summer evening in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province.
Grace (Fu Lan Li) is everything and so much more 
than we could have possibly hoped or dreamed.

7thff day blw 1 WM

Today is Grace's Forever Family Day.
 It's the day she joined our family.
For us it's a marker of time(perhaps) and a day to show how much she's loved and cherished.
We don't have a big celebration with gifts or a cake.
It's a quiet family observation of that day 7 years ago.

7thff day blw 3 WM

And on a personal note, it's also a day for us to honor her birth parents.
People who we will sadly probably never meet.
 I hope and pray they know she's loved and safe, smart and healthy.
And oh so happy.
Grace is the definition of grace completely.
Poised, serene, kind, elegant in form and manner,
and strong in character.
A treasure.
And a gift from God.

7thff day blw 2 WM

Grace's name ~ Lan Li, means
'Beautiful Orchid.'
It was her given name by the SWI and I can't imagine a more fitting one for her.
Our beautiful orchid who is Lanli.
7thff day blw 4 WM


I shall be called by a new name,
embraced by a fresh pair of arms,
but I shall come and go,
the eternal me.

~  Rabindranath Tagore



You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

~  Max Ehrmann - Desiderata



And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.

~  Matthew 18:5


the long road


Please hop on over to Lisa's blog,
The Long Road to China for many more black and whites.






25 kind words:

Kim said...

Happy 7 years.
Grace is sooo BREATHTAKING..
she is BEAUTIFUL..
I tell u that all the time.
she makes me smile.
So glad you all have each other.
Hugz.

Unknown said...

Lovely. No matter how many times I see photos of Grace, she always has the same striking beauty as if I'm seeing her for the first time. She is such a natural beauty, and resonates such a calm and peace, a gracefulness, as you said so eloquently. This post brought tears to this sensitive mom's eyes. Happy seven years! What a blessing!

Wanda said...

Oh my Gail -what a beautiful post. You've got me teary here. We are so blessed to be their Mommys. Thanks for that reminder.

Happy forever family day to you all and to Grace. She truly is her name personified.

xoxo

Melanie said...

Beautiful!!!
Beautiful post, beautiful pictures and beautiful Grace!
Love this entry to black and white wednesday.

Love Letters To China said...

Gail you truly have a way with words... You really captured in writing and photography the beauty of your daughter.

Happy anniversary!

Hugs...

Number 6 and no more counting! said...

just beautiful Gail.

Lea
xo

Ashton said...

Happy 7 years Grace! Beautiful post!

Natalie said...

Just beautiful! I love the sepia-ish edits on all the photos .. truly astounding! And she IS beautiful! Your blog is also very beautiful and well organized! I am going to begin following you! To keep up with your photos and posts! You're welcome to come on over and check out my blog and become a follower too (if you'd like!) http://dillonsmommajonswifey.blogspot.com! Happy Wednesday!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful post about your beautiful girl. I've always thought her name fits her perfectly!

Happy Forever Family Day!

Jboo said...

What a beautiful post to your sweet Grace!! She was an adorable baby! Blessings to you and your family on the anniversary of your family day!

Janet

Debbie said...

Your photos are beautiful, and the pictures you create with your words move me. Such a moving story, brings tears to my eyes. Bless your family :)

LivingSimply, SimplyLiving said...

Happy Forever Day...
Grace is simply beautiful and even in her baby pics she has those same stunning eyes.
Love the photography:)

Steffie B. said...

Bravo my friend......beautiful, elegant and precious....everything that Grace is.....

Hugs!!!
XOXO,
Steffie

ellieshine said...

Oh Gail, Grace is absolutely beautiful - both then and now. I remember and treasure every detail of of when we met our two littles also - such an incredible blessing and miracle.

Happy Forever Family Day to all of you!

Karen said...

Beautiful~ perfectly beautiful!
Happy Forever Family Day~

redmaryjanes said...

Goodness, there are tears. Every word touched my heart. Yes, you are very very blessed.

Charmaine Poulin said...

What a beautiful post....your words and your photos of Grace! Congratulations on 7 years with your beautiful girl, I wish you a hundred more!

Ashley said...

Beautiful post, Gail. Your words are so moving....and your dauhgter is such a vision of beauty. Happy Forever Family Day! I know how very blessed you must feel.

Faith Hope Love Photography said...

Wow!! You are the best writer..these posts will truely be something special to her when she grows up. She is absolutely gorgeous and could make anyone smile with that precious smile of hers...Happy Forever Day!!

Kayce said...

Oh Gail I am a streaming mess of tears...happy tears. Keeping all of you and Graces birthparents in our prayers tonight. Happy seven years! God's perfect blessing!

a Tonggu Momma said...

Oh Gail... this brought tears to my eyes. It seriously did. Your Grace is a beautiful orchid. In every way.

Marla said...

Beautiful post Gail and of course, your girl is getting more and more beautiful each day. Happy (belated) family day!

Laurie said...

So I'm a bit late in catching up with you, but oh my, I just had to comment on this entry. I fought back tears the whole time cause I have to be somewhere soon! :) But it was just soooo beautifully written, Gail. She was precious 7 years ago, and she is precious today.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Happy 7 Years!!

What a beautiful post that so perfectly described such an amazing day.... a day that changed all of your lives forever.

The SWI could not have picked a better name for your gorgeous girl.... if they could only see her now. These pictures truly capture her beauty inside and out.

Enjoy your holiday weekend~

xoxo,

Lisa

Casey said...

Wow!! Look at how little she was!! Seven years... She has grown into an amazingly beautiful little girl!!! Just stunning!! Happy Forever Family Day!

 
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