A Not So Happy Ending

I have mentioned in the past that adoption can be very difficult.   Over the past 18 months or so we have witnessed very dear friends of ours as they decided to adopt a child with a very complicated heart condition.  He was inoperable in his home land but they were willing to put themselves out there and take the risk to bring him into their family.  They worked hard to get a medical expedite to get him home quickly so he could receive needed medical care.

They got him home in December and gave him the love of a family.   Then in April of this year he went into the hospital for heart surgery.   Things did not go as planned and there were complications.   Our friends knew going in that this was possible, but they stepped up and followed the call.    For over 130 days they cared for him in the hospital, they worked with medical professionals to get him the best possible care.  They loved him and did everything a parent could do for their child.   I watched my very good friends pour themselves into his care day and night. 

Well this week the fight ended when he lost his earthly fight and passed away.   He was surrounded by his loving family.   They laughed as a family, they loved as a family and now they mourn as a family.

The loss of this child is deep and painful.  But in spite of that they are still strong advocates for adoption.   I was speaking with my friend this week and I asked him if he would do it all over again even knowing the outcome and as I expected he quickly responded that he would be all in.

So yes it was a not so happy ending.  But thanks to our friends being willing to follow God and take a risk on loving another child, this child was part of a family.  He was loved as a son and brother.   He died part of a family, no longer an orphan.

I am so thankful for people that are willing to put their hearts on the line and take a risk to love a child so they are an orphan no longer.   Yes it is risky but it is worth it.