Holy Days

Today is my baby brother's 27th birthday. I can hardly believe it. I was 17 when he was born, so that makes me really old. (Hopefully, you're too tired to do the math.) Piper, whose real name is Anthony though he'll always be Piper to me, is a writer/waiter currently living out in LA with two of our brothers. He'll head back to Cape Cod for the summer, unless we can figure out a way to trap him here in Ohio on the way back. I'm thinking a pretty Catholic girl might do the trick. He's polishing up what he hopes to be the final draft of his latest novel, a beautifully spiritual story called 33 Miracles. I can't wait 'til it is published so I can share it with you. And I would say that even if he weren't my baby brother.

Saturday, the feast of St Joseph, was the tenth anniversary of our first adoption. I can hardly believe that either. I've shared the story here of meeting our little Mariana Clare, formerly Ba Shi Qi...it remains one of the most memorable days of my life. Is it possible that ten years have really passed since then? Mei Mei has grown into a sweet, gentle yet strong girl who feels things deeply and cherishes her relationships above all. She is the first to notice when someone is hurting and and immediately reaches out to comfort the person. She is also the first to answer the phone. She LOVES to cook and bake and would gladly watch the Food Network all day long, if only we had cable. Whenever we are with our homeschooling friends, she can usually be found with a baby on her hip.

Of all of my beautiful children, Mariana is the one who is probably the most like me (except for the cooking part). The immediate bond I experienced that very first day, ten years ago, has deepened and strengthened with time. Mei Mei is very social but still most content right by my side, which nurtures my soul more than I can say. She taught me that my heart really was big enough for this crazy, wonderful thing called adoption, and for that I am forever grateful.