Bringing home the baby bumble bee, won’t my mother be so proud of me
A friend recently said to me, “Wow, what a difference a week makes!” On Monday a week ago, my mother passed. Tatjana has always called mom a fallen angel and there was a moment when we were driving back across the Causeway on Wednesday, the day of her funeral, when the sun was streaking through the clouds and my brother pointed and told T that’s God and right then “I’ll Fly Away” came on my Ipod mix when I smiled and thought of my mom as a perfectly whole angel now.
On Thursday, I got a violent stomach virus and could barely get out of bed or do much more than moan.
On Friday, a friend stopped by and I managed to get out of bed, and as we were sitting at the dining room table, I got a call about an infant in distress who had been temporarily rescued by fairy godmothers – the caller said, “Are you interested?”
On Saturday, we hired an attorney in Indiana, he flew his private plane to the city where the baby was and had a consent signed.
On Sunday, I got in the truck at 6AM and drove like a bat out of hell for 953 miles to my dear Flower’s house who lives an hour from the infant.
On Monday, I arrived at the fairy godmothers’ house with borrowed clothes, diaper bag, formula, cereal, winter wear and hope.
On Monday night a week ago my mother died. I like to think she pulled some strings. On Monday night this week, I lay on the floor of Flower’s house with my son while she gave me a crash course in 9-month old baby care and my baby played with her baby.
On Tuesday, Tin and I drove through the first major snow storm of the year to the city where we would petition for the adoption. T flew from New Orleans to join us then I gave her a crash course in 9-month old baby care.
On Wednesday, all three of us – me, T and T2 – stood in front of a judge and when she asked if I would accept being the mother of this boy, tears burst out of my eyes taking everyone by surprise.
It’s Thursday, we are stuck here waiting for our federal criminal background clearance so we can cross the state line – a detail we didn’t know we needed until just now. It’s 14 degrees outside, but our family is warm and happy inside (though we miss Loca, Wolfie and Bam Bam).
Welcome Constantin Pavlovic Dangermond – where have you been?
We will call him Tin, although a friend did note that with a name like Constantin, our son will be comfortable in both the east and the west.
Thanks mom!
December 11th, 2009 at 12:34 am
Rachel,
My heart os overflowing with happiness! I can barely take my eyes off the two loves of your life. Tatjana’s gaze speaks volumes, and darling Constantin seems so content and happy. Look at the way the camera adores him already.
Please hurry home, and let’s start knitting crazy cute caps for him. My God, he is precious.
Drive carefully, and please place my name on the waiting list of visitors.
So, so happy for you.
Love,
Melanie
December 11th, 2009 at 6:42 am
Thanks cuz – we’re very happy despite still missing my mom and being stuck in the snow!
December 11th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Rachel and Tatjana: Congratulations on the new addition to your family. I know it has been a long struggle for both of you but I suspect it was worth the wait. You two (and T2) are now truly a family and I hope the love and joy you feel at this moment lasts forever.
Rachel: I am very sorry to hear about your mother. But God does work in mysterious ways. As your “fallen angel” left you, God sent another angel to take her place.
December 11th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Thanks Lisa – alternating tears of joy and sorrow and as Tatjana just added a farting little baby boy!