“Well, it’s a girl,” said the Honorable Judge Moyers as, with his signature, he finalized our adoption of Neica Simorne’ Blackmon. Mister and I locked watery eyes for just a moment, grateful beyond gratitude. From the day I met her, it took almost seven years to make her mine/ours. That’s gotta be some kind of crazy record or miracle or straight out grace - the kind you never, ever get over.
God works in mysterious ways. I have no understanding whatsoever regarding his methods, but I am learning to embrace the mystery.
“It’s a girl, YES!! It’s a girl, and she is so so good,” our eyes spoke without sound. Butterfly flurries in my stomach, lumps of lead in my throat, and tears misting my vision…
Yes, it’s a girl, and we promise to love her just as we love our other girls…
Yes, it’s a girl, and she is treasured for her wit, her beauty, and her bravery…
Yes, she is a girl, and we promise to do our very best to raise her up with the absolute assurance of love and acceptance…
Yes, she is a girl. We commit to raising her to know every person is of tremendous value and importance, regardless of how they look, speak, believe, or love…
Yes, she is a girl, and as she heads out to discover and cultivate her own identity, we are completely committed to honoring her in every phase of her becoming.
Yes, she is a girl. A girl. A child. She is not a doll or a puppet to be played with then cast aside.
Yes, she is a girl. She has soul and indomitable spirit. She is a survivor. She is a warrior. Her story holds deep woundings and trauma. She longs for safety and struggles to trust it. We are patient. We will bear with her every step of the way.
Yes, she is a girl. She is beloved. She is cherished. She is ours.
Yes, she is a girl.
