As most of you know, I started blogging shortly after my youngest son passed away unexpectedly. I was looking for a way to stabilize my world, to solidify my foundation after it was left tattered and crumbled. For a while, I wrote to try and bring my son back to life, to remember the minutiae of his life. To cling to him in whatever way I could. Even if meant trying to grasp whisps of a rainbow.
It wasn’t long before I realized no matter how often I wrote about my son, he was never coming home to be tucked in at night. I would never plug him in to be fed again, nor would I ever have to worry about him letting a floater go in the tub, or pick at his never ending case of cradle cap or wonder whether his feet would look more clubbed when he woke up the next morning.
Because I realized there were no more next mornings. The tomorrows with my Shalebug were all spent. It was up to me to try and find a way to adjust and cope to this new reality, because no one could do it for me.
So I turned to writing once more, this time to try and remember the magic of the moment, the funny of life. I made a conscious effort to write about what made me smile or laugh in my day, no matter how trivial. It was a concerted effort to remember that life is what you make of it, no matter how many times you draw the short straw or go to bed wishing for a different ending.
It worked. I healed and continue to do so. My children survived intact and not the shattered, scarred souls I was worried my grief would turn them into. I lost one child due to circumstances beyond my control, I wasn’t going to lose the other two because I was unable to deal with the loss.
It hasn’t always been fun and games. Which has made it particularly difficult to blog some days. Sometimes, there is just no funny to make me smile and share with the internet. Sometimes, there is just an overwhelming sense of loss and loneliness that is too difficult to articulate into words.
Still, I press on and continue to try and find the funny. It’s not always easy when all I want to do is talk about how my parents are still shunning me and how I miss them so. It’s not easy during the times I resent my husband for leaving me alone to deal with our family while he is away at work. But then, life isn’t always easy. So I plug on, waiting for the light to shine through the clouds of gloom that have momentarily darkened my sky.
When the hubs and I started our adoption journey, I decided to share the process on my blog. It hasn’t been an easy affair by any stretch, but it has provided some entertaining blog fodder. Yet, like life itself, our journey hasn’t worked out like the hubs and I imagined it.
Besides taking a helluva lot longer than we expected, we never thought our application would be put on hold. Because of the fact I took antidepressants after Shalebug died. They wanted to clinically assess my mental status. Make sure I wasn’t really crazy. Worse, we never thought they would examine our children under such a bright microscope, looking for cracks in each of their veneers.
In the end, we wait while complete strangers decide if adopting a special needs child into our family is in the best interest of Fric and Frac. Or more technically, we wait until they make the decision they feel best covers their collective asses.
The wait is coming to an end. I finally heard from our lovely adoption office, requesting Boo and my presence in their office on the day of Oct. 17.
Finally and at long last, we will hear their verdict in regards to our application. I wish I could say I was confident, but the truth is, after dealing with these bureaucrats I now understand they do not put my family’s best interest first, nor that of the many children waiting to be adopted. They put their jobs and their political interests first.
Based on all that has happened before now, there is a very real possibility that our application will be denied. Which sucks and makes me want to cry and go all warrior-like on their asses.
I will be counting the moments until Judgement day, and hoping for the very best. But, I think I’ll keep sharpening my tomahawk until then, just in case.






Wednesday, 3 October, 2007 at 20:41
I have to believe that good will prevail over the politics. It better or else I’ll bring some sharp stones.
Wednesday, 3 October, 2007 at 22:32
I will be thinking of you, I really hope you get the answer you have been waiting for but if you don’t (I know I shouldn’t say that) it’s not your fault it’s all the stupid pen pushers trying to cover there own backsides. Your kids have the best kind of mum one who can see the lighter side of life, and from everything you have wrote it comes across like they adore you beyond measure. You really deserve that chance to have another little angel on earth to help ease your pain. Nobody who hasn’t lost a child can understand the kicking your heart takes, the feeling of drowning in a well of sorrow with no bottom. I understand I really do losing Leo is still kicking me over and over again. If you ever need to talk or cry feel free to email me. ((((hugs)))) Crystal xx
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 5:15
Oh man *crosses fingers, eyes and ankles* I really hope this turns out better than you’re thinking it will.
Funny. I think the way you’ve dealt with all of this shows a well adjusted attitude. Far better than a Mary Sunshine who pretends “it’ll all be fine” with a patronizing smile on her face.
You’re amazing. Boo is fantastic. And Fric and Frac are funny as hell.
*revs up the chainsaw* Let me know what those asshats say.
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 5:31
In the midst of this heart-felt post, you still made me laugh—that axe photo is perfectly placed. I hope the adoption agency can see why you’d be a great family for a child that needs one.
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 5:56
Hard to add anything that hasn’t been said. Keep the faith. We’re with you. If positive vibes count for anything, that lucky wee child will be coming to you soon.
And if not, I think a letter-writing campaign from your blogfriends would be an excellent idea.
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 6:04
T. we all know that you are a wonderful mother and that any child will have won the parenting jackpot if he or she is placed with you….I hope the adoption people see that too. Wishing you all the best.
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 6:29
Child Services should be so lucky as to have parents like you waiting in the wings for children in need…
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 7:16
I have been reading your blog for months now! I absolutely love it! I’m praying for your approval to come very soon! You have a great family…any child would be very blessed to become a party of it!
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 7:42
From across the wild frontier that is the blogosphere- I just want you to know that if my son was an orphan (God forbid…) I could only hope that someone as loving, funny, caring, etc… as you would take him into your heart, home, and family. If they deny you all it is only because of their unwillingness to accept the flawed- as we all are. It’s the imperfections that make life beautiful but you already know that.
You have no idea what an inspiration you are to moms of the world. To parents that have lost a child. To parents that list that as their #1 fear. I always say I don’t think I could survive if it happened to me, if I would want to. And I read your blog and see that you laugh and smile still and it gives me hope. You give me hope.
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 9:29
I’m sure you don’t need it, but I wish you luck!
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 10:11
Here is to opening up a nice bottle of bubbly on Oct 17th and celebrating.
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 10:27
Oh man Mama.. the hell they’ve put you through deserves anti depressants, to punish you (and really, it is punishing) for taking them to learn how to cope and function for your family after losing a child is wrong indeed.
Then to make you wait…
I’m praying for you, Boo and the kiddo’s, but I suspect you don’t need them. Your an awesome Mama, and hopefully they see that. *hugs*
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 10:30
THEY would be crazy not to say yes! Hoping all goes well on the 17th. I’ll be sending good vibes your way.
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 10:34
Keeping my fingers, toes, legs, eyes, EVERYTHING crossed for you, T!!
We see what an awesome family you would make for a little one in need- hopefully “they” do too!
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 11:36
Good luck. We hope it all works out for you. You’re a great mother and they’d be crazy to deny you the opportunity to raise a child in need.
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 12:35
It takes a special kind of person to raise a child with special needs. You and your husband are (obviously!) the kind of persons to do it. If they reject you, they are obviously cuckoo for cocoa puffs. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 17:23
I hope it all works out!!! xoxo
I think you and Boo are amazing to want to take in a special needs child. I know I couldn’t cope. And I’m just in awe of you.
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 17:56
That just so happens to be my 2nd son’s birthday.
It is a good day.
It will be for you, too.
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 21:40
Oh, I hope it is good news you’ll be receiving. They are just so whacked out if they deny a child the chance to be raised in your home.
Thursday, 4 October, 2007 at 23:45
They would be completely crazy to turn you down. I’ll be thinking of you and your family as the date approaches. *hugs*
Friday, 5 October, 2007 at 6:44
fingers crossed for you and your family!
Friday, 5 October, 2007 at 7:34
Honey, I just know they will see past whatever screwed up reservations they had. Because good people deserve good things. And you are good people!
Friday, 5 October, 2007 at 9:37
i’m late to this, my friend, but…i’ve now got fingers and toes crossed for the 17th, and will be on pins and needles ’til there’s news.
and…whatever the news…you’ve done good here. good by Bug, and good by all your family, helping so many of us find the funny in the day to day of living.
lots of love, and luck.
Friday, 5 October, 2007 at 12:03
Well that’s just Great! Judgement day on my flippin’ birthday. Lovely! Well, here’s to praying for the outcome that you want…that you will be approved to adopt. =)
Friday, 5 October, 2007 at 16:19
Oh, honey. Who wouldn’t need anti-depressants to cope with losing a child? I do hope theyll see that, because for all your banter, I know you’re an amazing, loving mama, one who knows about special needs, to boot, and some kid would be lucky to come to you. Good luck, lady.
Friday, 5 October, 2007 at 22:01
OH FOR CRAP’S SAKE! If anything your taking antidepressants ought to show them that you are too responsible a parent to let yourself fall apart while you are reeling from the loss of a much-loved child. That really chaps my ass. Heaven forbid you should be honest with yourself and your doctor about whether your mental health is where it needs to be! As someone with a mother who did not always do that while I was a kid (although my mother is nuttier than squirrel poo, whereas your issue seems to have been more of a situational thing) but managed to keep up appearances well enough that nobody did anything to protect me from her, I would submit that NOT taking antidepressants if one needs them is the mark of a questionably fit parent, not the other way around. Sheesh!
Saturday, 6 October, 2007 at 18:39
My fingers are crossed and my thoughts are with you while you wait. And kiddo would be lucky to be part of your family, if only the stubborn government could see that!!!
Tuesday, 9 October, 2007 at 17:13
They would be loons to pass on you marvelous miracles. Fingers and anything crossable, crossed.
Wednesday, 10 October, 2007 at 8:19
well isn’t everyone on antidepressants anyway? if not, we all should be.
sending good thoughts your way with a positive decision.
Monday, 15 October, 2007 at 16:01
Thinking of you, T.
It’ll happen. Give it time.