A Beginning? An ending?

International adoption is a process, a long one. From the time you submit your first application until the time your child steps onto American soil, years may pass! Every step becomes a milestone and, most of the time, you feel like you're moving forward. You expect and overcome the setbacks and look to the horizon ahead for your path. You celebrate the passing of each obstacle thrown before you, things like "dossier" and "PO report", and other words once foreign to you that you've had to learn the hard way... experience.

By far the biggest obstacle to surpass is "yourself" and "waiting". In truth, there is so much waiting that "yourself" wonders if this is the beginning or the end. All along the path you are hopeful that it's the beginning of the end, only to find that you were confused about the direction of the path. The alien-ness of the adventure you're on causes confusion in yourself and others and you are helpless to explain. You wait. And you ask others to wait. Your lack of power makes you feel alone in your waiting. The huge obstacle called "yourself" settles in front of you, standing on your foot and pulling your sleeve at the same time to egg you on. You smile on the outside and scream on the inside. But you wait.

Then the phone call that changes your life comes, again! Another court date: March 23rd, just three weeks to wait! You silently wonder if this is another beginning... or an ending?