A birthday prayer

Today is Tommy's 4th birthday, his second as an orphan. Although we didn't know him yet, we got started on this whole adoption thing right around his last birthday.  We had hoped to have him home by now.  As we've written already, with all that's going on with the embassy, it's really hard to tell just how much longer he'll be waiting.

Tonight, our family sang "Happy Birthday Dear Tommy" and blew out his candles for him, praying someone in ET remembered it was his day. And just about the time I thought we'd be overtaken by the sadness of his absence, Madi, our #2, suggested we freeze a piece of his birthday cake for him to have when he gets here.  "After all," she said, "cake will keep in the freezer for 6 weeks, won't it?"  Her combination of thoughtfulness and optimism helped steer the "party" back on track.

So, as I prepare to lay my head down, and attempt to square up for the day with my Maker, I pray for the women of Ethiopia; in particular for one named U_____e, who bravely sought out the Mussie Orphanage in an effort to secure a better life for her boy--now our boy--Tommy. I pray for a day when such altruistic and agonizing tasks become uncommon in their homeland--and everywhere--so that no more little boys like my Tommy have to spend a single day, let alone their birthday, as orphans.