“And in our dream, we do not feel loss, because a new light found us, and guided us.”
To our friend:
We don’t know what we should call you. “Friend” seems too intimate, too soon. But what else can we call someone who is reading this letter, someone who, even if for a fraction of a moment, is considering entrusting us with such an incredible responsibility? You don’t need to be told that the decision you have to make is a difficult one — especially not by us. It requires careful consideration, and wisdom that may be beyond the capabilities of fragile human beings like us. How does a person look into the future, unroll the tapestry of a life that hasn’t yet been lived, and foresee how its pattern will unfold? How does someone then pull herself back to the present, and with the life she envisioned still in her thoughts, reach out into the world and choose the people best able to nurture, guide, and protect that life?
You have probably already read hundreds of promises from loving and hopeful adoptive parents offering your child the world. We wish we could promise those things, but we can’t. We can’t promise a childhood completely free of any sadness or struggle, but we will give him or her one filled with love, care, and joy. We can’t promise to spoil your child with unlimited material possessions, but we can offer the protection, experience, and education needed to earn them on his or her own. And we can’t promise that your child will be raised like royalty, but he or she will have friends from around the world that will provide influence, openness to cultural diversity and languages, and help to build a noble character.
There is so much uncertainly in life, that we simply can’t promise the world. But we can promise you only one thing. We promise that we will not fail you, and that we will work hard to build a future for your child.
We met fourteen years ago in Africa, where Maria was working with the Spanish Development Agency, and David was traveling and writing novels. Since that time, we’ve lived on three continents and have devoted our lives to making the world a better place. A few years ago, we moved to New York after Maria accepted a staff position with the United Nations. Since then, we have put down roots that are wide and deep, stretching from New York, to Texas, Madrid, Panama, and Brazil. We have a beautiful son named Oscar and a foster daughter as well, and we're ready to expand our family further and spread our love to other lives. To do this, we'd love your help – and it is our sincere desire to be able to earn your trust and friendship.
