Saying Good-Bye to Holly

We received very sad news last week from Holly's orphanage.  She has been recalled and it has been difficult for both us and her.  She left us on Sunday.  No matter the circumstances, we do our best to do what we can for our children.  

When I returned home with a cake, Holly asks who that is for.  I then said, "It's for you Holly!"  She then thought it was her birthday :) After all, isn't that what cakes are usually for around here?!  I reminded her again that this was her "going away" cake like we do for everyone that leaves the Forever Home.  Usually it's due to the fact that they've been adopted and leaving us, meeting up with their forever families.  Though it's what we always hope for when a child leaves our home, it sometimes can be for other reasons and lately, we've seen that way too often. Whether sad or happy reasons for their leaving, we celebrate them.  

We are thankful for the time we did have with her, for the love and nurturing we were able to pour into her.  We know in our hearts that it was not in vain, but there was a purpose for her coming to us. Even if we never know exactly what that purpose was, we know it's true and are thankful for the time she was with us.  These children bless our family so much and we're so happy to give all that we have from our hearts.  It's not always easy, and honestly, sometimes in times like these, you wonder if you can continue to do it again and again. But.....our hearts heal and there's always room for more to love and care for!

Having been there ourselves, we know exactly how our foster families feel when a child leaves their home bound for a new life with their adoptive families.  It is always a bittersweet time, happy and thankful for the adoptive parents that we'd always hoped for these children, yet so very sad and the tremendous loss we feel at their leaving our/their family.  It gives us all the more reason to be so very grateful for what they do--for taking in these little ones and loving them like their very own!!  Some do it time and time again, others have difficulty after one leaves and simply cannot do it again due to it's painful nature.  It matters not, they have made a difference in the life of an orphan--even if it is only one--and they have forever changed their lives.  You just can't ask for more than that!!  What a blessing to these children!!  Something though, that we learned long ago was that we often are more blessed ourselves by what we do than being a blessing to them--obviously though, it goes both ways.  It's a wonderful thing!

Another wonderful thing that we couldn't possibly do without, is you.  We couldn't do what we do here without your loving support and generosity!  Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!  Together we're changing lives! It's such a beautiful thing!!

Here, Holly gets her nails painted one last time by big sister, Elise, before she leaves.

Holly was quite excited about her beautiful cake!  Chocolate and strawberries, two of her favorite things!

Holly came to us 16 months ago and we have seen so many positive changes in her. Oh how we'll miss her happy, bubbly personality!  She always had a smile and we often referred to her as "Happy Holly!"  She was always proud of her accomplishments and couldn't wait to show us what she'd done or made. 

All the Forever Home girls pose for one last picture together before she leaves.  We'll surely miss you Holly!! More than you'll ever know.