tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18580914.post2113211873952576440..comments2023-10-08T07:43:51.327-05:00Comments on These Broken Vases | Finding Beauty in Unexpected Places: Special FriendsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09611345201573528750noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18580914.post-6148782826244746642010-06-23T12:28:59.689-05:002010-06-23T12:28:59.689-05:00Oh that's so wonderful! Do the Loraines live n...Oh that's so wonderful! Do the Loraines live near you? Will the girls ever be able to see each other? We all move away from friends when we are little but it would be pretty amazing if they lived close!Adventures in Cookinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07533742744605836736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18580914.post-8869008099961150182010-06-17T09:58:46.982-05:002010-06-17T09:58:46.982-05:00Good for you, Ellen, for taking the high road here...Good for you, Ellen, for taking the high road here. : )Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04425142535225258570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18580914.post-11615185512602738982010-06-17T09:22:36.624-05:002010-06-17T09:22:36.624-05:00Dear Truewell,
Every family is different, and wha...Dear Truewell,<br /><br />Every family is different, and what God leads you to do might be different from what He led us to do. Oksana was always supposed to be a part of the Loraine family. And they were committed to her even while we were in Ukraine and we could have "changed" our minds.<br /><br />How wonderful that in your family your children are not affected by birth order and integrating new siblings. It is a wonderful blessing.<br /><br />What God calls one family to do, is not what He calls another family to do. I cannot claim to know what is right for your family, but I do know what was the right decision for us.Ellen Stumbohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02883373231740515881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18580914.post-57519937031401888962010-06-17T07:14:56.044-05:002010-06-17T07:14:56.044-05:00That's wonderful news for Oksana!
While I usu...That's wonderful news for Oksana!<br /><br />While I usually agree with your viewpoints, I must admit that I was a bit shocked by this: "But Oksana is older than Ellie, and as we prayed, we did not feel peace bringing another child home that would be older than our oldest."<br /><br />That really surprised me! As an adoptive parent, I can't imagine turning away a child who needs love, a family and opportunity because of her age relative to another child's age! Especially considering what's at stake – a slow, painful death in an institution, where these children are subjected to abuse and neglect; they die unloved and unwanted.<br /><br />You're such a wonderful, caring mother – it seems a shame that she didn't have an opportunity to join your family simply because it would have been unfair to Ellie. (I'd say it's even more unfair to Oksana – longing for a family while being left to die of neglect and heartbreak.) <br /><br />I believe a child's age relative to her siblings is so irrelevant! In my opinion, it's the relationship that matters and I know that my children would have forgotten all about age as they got to know and love their new sister. I imagine Ellie as the type of child who would say "Let's bring her home!" if you explained what was at stake – or maybe my kiddos are unique in this way. Ellie would have always remained in the "big sister" role; she would have been the leadership role regardless of age. Ellie would always be the big sister due to the delays that all orphans experience due to their time in the orphanage/institution. <br /><br />But I'm *so* glad to hear that she finally found a loving family! That's wonderful news. I guess in the end, that's all that matters. :-)<br />-TruewellTruewell Adamsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18580914.post-31550483179178178502010-06-16T18:46:19.459-05:002010-06-16T18:46:19.459-05:00I am sooo happy for Oksana she seems like such a t...I am sooo happy for Oksana she seems like such a treasure---I have been following their blog!! What a cutie pie!!!<br />Sunnie in NCSunniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07290809788707965580noreply@blogger.com