I know there are some stories of adoption out there, where the bonding between child and parent(s) is instant and wonderful! Yes, the heavens open up, doves fly down, and the whole world slows to a crawl as your new wonderful, beautiful child runs to your arms - clearly un-inhibited by the past - and falls softly into your chest as tears of joy roll down your cheeks!
This... was not... our adoption. At least, not for me and our daughter. Our scene was more like, the heavens opened up, doves flew down, the sounds of angels singing could barely be heard over the joyous sounds of laughter and our precious daughter looking up at me and my wife softly sighing the words Ma ma and Ba ba - and then quickly realising that although her new Ma ma was a true beauty to behold, her new Ba ba happened to be the Yeti incarnate! She quickly tried to find a wooden stake to drive though my heart, garlic, and a silver bullet to try to rid herself of me...
But that was OK (well actually, it hurt worse than anything else I’ve experienced, but that is for another post). I was prepared for this type of reaction... and I should thank my wife for that.
*begin wavy flash back to our wasted youths*
Friend: So, who do you like? Anyone right now?
Younger Version of Me: I kind am digg’n R right now.
(younger future wife - R) |
Friend: For real! That is so cool! Hey, HEY R! Adrian LIKES you!
My Future Wife: What?! Adrian!? Ewwwww! I would never date Adrian!Younger Version of Me: I’m right here! I can hear you, you know.
My Future Wife: I want a man who is manly - and strong!
Younger Version of Me: I have a very deep inner strength. Don’t take my lack of arguing and getting mad as a weakness. It takes much more strength to deal with things properly than it dose to explode and get mad! And hey, you know what, I’m from Flin Flon! I wrestle Bears Wrapped In Bacon!
My Future Wife: I want someone, who is macho - who will make my decisions.
Younger Version of Me: Well, I think that is kind of silly.
My Future Wife: I want someone who will order my food for me!
Younger Version of Me: But you haven’t told me what you like yet.
My Future Wife: I would NEVER date Adrian.
(younger me) |
Younger Version of Me: I’m still right here!
My Future Wife: You are so not the man I want.
Younger Version of Me: But I might just be the man you need.
* end wavy flashback*
To say that my wife and I did not hit it off that great, would be an understatement. We met at a young age in Sunday School - but were only “friends”. But, I do have a way with da ladies! I wear ‘em down!
When we were young, and we were out with our friends, I would go to the other guys who had cars and ask them “not to give R a ride home” - because I liked her, and I wanted to give her a ride home. Then, after she was safely confined in my car, (after not being able to find anyone to give her a ride home), with no possible chance of escape, I would drive her home as slow as possible just to spend as much time as possible with her.
Now I know that might sound a little creepy... but hey, it worked! She fell in love with my rugged good looks, charming personality and my humor (some would add obvious denial of reality). Had it not worked out between us, I would have just been some creepy guy who kept threatening people not to give R a ride home, and stalking R all hours of the day... but never-the-less, it all worked out in the end.
Well, true to form, I did not hit it off so great with this new girl either. I was confident though that I would woo her and win her over! I would wear her down...
Younger Version of Me: But I might just be the man you need.
* end wavy flashback*
To say that my wife and I did not hit it off that great, would be an understatement. We met at a young age in Sunday School - but were only “friends”. But, I do have a way with da ladies! I wear ‘em down!
When we were young, and we were out with our friends, I would go to the other guys who had cars and ask them “not to give R a ride home” - because I liked her, and I wanted to give her a ride home. Then, after she was safely confined in my car, (after not being able to find anyone to give her a ride home), with no possible chance of escape, I would drive her home as slow as possible just to spend as much time as possible with her.
Now I know that might sound a little creepy... but hey, it worked! She fell in love with my rugged good looks, charming personality and my humor (some would add obvious denial of reality). Had it not worked out between us, I would have just been some creepy guy who kept threatening people not to give R a ride home, and stalking R all hours of the day... but never-the-less, it all worked out in the end.
(still wearing her down) |
Now, what has that to do with our little Ping and our adoption?
Well, true to form, I did not hit it off so great with this new girl either. I was confident though that I would woo her and win her over! I would wear her down...
(Ping showing her “playful” side as she tries to stab me with a fork) |
- less hairy
- less smelly
- more Chinese
- less hairy
- less loud
- less scary
- less tall
- less cuddly
- more further away
(still not impressed by me) |
(just trying to get away) |
But each day, I just loved her. I let her cry, yell at me, run away... what ever. She would say “Daddy, I NO love you!”, and I would say “That is OK, because I love you. Maybe tomorrow you will love Daddy?”, (“Maybe” she would reply, on a good day, normally it was “mmmmm, I tink abot it, an No!”).
I would hold her, talk to her, take her out one on one and have cake. I let her cry, listened to her babble. Held her when she was scared (even when she thought she was brave) and prayed for her every night. I tucked her into bed, and carried her when ever I could. I never demanded she love me, held it against her when she rejected me, or got angry when she pushed me away. And slowly, ever so slowly, I could see the chinks forming in her armour - and slowly, I knew I was winning her over... and I knew I would. Because, I have a way with da ladies.
(still wearing her down) |
Current Me: Yup, I know. And don’t look now, but I’m also the man you wanted. I am able to order your favorite food when we go to a restaurant - because I have watched you, listened to you, and learned what you like and don't like (instead acting out in a macho manly way). I am able to help make decisions - because I have the needs of our family deeply routed in my heart (instead of making decision because “I’m the man!”). I am the type of man who dose the right thing, even though it is hard and requires great strength (instead of being the quick tempered man).
So maybe I wasn’t the man that my wife wanted...
... but I am the man she needed.
And maybe I wasn’t the Father that Ping wanted...
... but I know I’m the Father she needs.
(totally wearing her down!) |
So to all the Dads out there (or Moms) out there struggling with attachment issues - it’s all good. Love will come around. You just have to have a way with da Ladies**!
* = Edited by me, but it was SO implied in the statement though.
** = Or, boys... if you adopted a son.
Love this post for so many reasons!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks...he hits, he punches, he kicks, and it all is directed at me. Not his dad. I am trying to tell myself I represent the caregivers that hurt him(because he was hurt). Some days it is harder than others. But I know it will get better...it already has, in so many ways. But I love your post...it lets me know others are feeling the same.
ReplyDeleteEssie
You really can write! And you are so funny! And so right. (Sounds like a catch to me!)
ReplyDelete"Wear them down" Ya, I'm gonna keep working on that one!
Nancy-of the Crazy 8s
What a beautiful picture of the way God loves us and pursues us so patiently.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! And I'm happy to hear that your daughter is slowly making room for you in her heart!
ReplyDeleteI came here from RQ via NHBO's blog, and here I am, finding out that you are a fellow Zhongshan family! We just received our LOA for our Zhongshan daughter!
Barb
Love this post!!
ReplyDelete