Forms of Love

Yes, I am adopting as a single woman. However, I have been blessed to have loved deeply in my life. Often when we make a statement like that we mean only past romantic love interests and I suppose that is what I mean in this post. I have had wonderful long-lasting relationships with a couple of very special men. While our relationships were not meant to be lifelong, they have served a purpose in my life and I recognize each of the lessons I have learned from them. I believe they (I'm talking about two specific former boyfriends, not 20 HA) were my dress rehearsals for the real thing.

Today I was faced with the realization that I have been fortunate to love deeply in many different ways. The wonderful thing is that I have been loved back. This morning I received a most extraordinary e-mail from a friend I met while living in Stockholm, who now lives in Germany. Michelle is a very very special friend and we have served a mutual support system through various life changes. I want to share this e-mail with you to let you know just how wonderful she is and how lucky my Lily will be to have people like Michelle in her life. What I received was a copy of an invitation, not for me to attend, but:


When:
Tuesday, December 2, 3:30PM
Hold the date. Come for some festive fun. There'll be food, drinks, cake, gluhwein & horse drawn wagon rides, so bundle up. This is indeed a celebration of Chloe and she will eagerly open presents provided at the party, but considering Santa's coming to town soon, we're asking you to help the young learn the joy of giving to others in a different manner... ___________________________________________________________________ Please join us in helping a friend adopt a little girl named "Lily" from Kazakhstan. There will be a box, in which you can contribute anonymously. Andrea is an American friend, lives in New Hampshire and has persevered raising money and finalizing paperwork. Andrea speaks Russian and has worked all over the world including in Russia, hence her decision to adopt from there. One of the most inspiring women I know. Let's make the final steps towards her adoption journey more feasible. Come to Udo's and let's have festive fun. ____________________________________________________________________ "We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop." -mt

I am astonished by this display of friendship, grace and love and just wanted to share it with all of you. This came out of the blue, I had no idea Michelle and her husband, Francois, had thought this up. Such a lovely, lovely, generous show of support. The thought alone makes me cry.