What Child is this?

As I listen to this song this season, it has special meaning for me. We have been ruminating repeatedly on all the tidbits of information we have about our son. We know that he is beautiful, because we saw him. We look at his picture several times a day. We think about the intensity in his eyes, the dimple in his chin and the wry mischievous smile he wears. We know that he likes cars and constructing things because he told us so and we saw how much fun he had with the remote control car we gave him. We know he has artistic ability from the beautiful picture he painted for us. His picture also tells us that he is positive and hopeful. His caretakers told us that he is doing well in his pre-school classes. We know he is anxious about the school he will attend here, because he asked us to send him pictures of his new classroom. His caretakers also told us that he is outgoing and friendly. He told us that his best friend’s name is Roman. We know that he likes all food, except cabbage. He particularly likes meat, especially sausage, but his favorite food category is sweets with ice cream taking top billing. We know that he is adventurous; he expresses a willingness to go with two practical strangers halfway around the world to live.

Even though we have all these things about him to ponder, I cannot help wondering, “What child is this?” There is still so much to know, so many things to learn and so much time to make up for. We want to be the best parents we can be. The words of Olga, the director of Ruslan’s orphanage, keep ringing in my ears. She said, “The main job of a parent to is help their child find his/her own unique and special gifts. The gifts buried inside that will make the world a better place.”

In this season that we reflect on the birth of our Savior, I know that the Blessed Mother holding Baby Jesus in her arms was wondering the same thing. “Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) Mary has been a special guide on this journey to family. We are doing our best to follow her lead and continue to put our trust in God.