| You've been waiting, waiting, waiting. | | | | out - anxious for that first, deep breath of beautiful |
| You've daydreamed about what it will be like the day | | | | oxygen. |
| you "get the call." In your mind, you're full of energy | | | | This experience is so common among adoptive |
| and excitement and have every detail played out in | | | | parents - but often not shared with others, because |
| perfect, romantic detail. | | | | we believe we have to live up to our long-held |
| Then it happens, you find out your referral is on it's | | | | fantasy about how we are going to react. |
| way - the call will come any day - and you feel like | | | | You don't even have your baby's picture yet, the |
| you've been hit by a mack truck! | | | | details about who she is, and where she is living - but |
| This is a very common reaction. You've been strong, | | | | you know that in a day or two, that package will |
| holding it together during the long roller-coaster wait. | | | | arrive. The exhaustion, the let-down, the urge to |
| You really did't have a choice - you had to continue | | | | finally let-go and breathe deeply - these physical and |
| living life, going to work, taking care of your family. | | | | emotional needs take over and you fall on the couch |
| It's like you've been holding your breath, for | | | | stunned, in shock, and wondering what's wrong with |
| something like 18 months (or longer). | | | | you. |
| You know the feeling I'm talking about - when you | | | | What's wrong with you? |
| were a kid, you'd have contests to see who could | | | | Nothing! |
| hold their breath the longest. You'd get light-headed, | | | | You are perfectly normal! |
| feel like your lungs were about to explode, your | | | | Enjoy this time of recuperation. Your body is longing |
| chest hurt, your brain would get all fuzzy, and all you | | | | for some rest, some respite from "holding in the air" |
| could think about was that first deep breath! The | | | | and keeping it together for so many months. Go with |
| "Ahhhh!" sense of relief that would come! | | | | it. Give yourself the freedom to veg-out and to |
| So, when you learn that your long-awaited referral is | | | | space-out. |
| on it's way across the ocean - your body, mind, | | | | In a day or two, you'll be back on track, the referral |
| emotions, and spirit decide to let go, and quit "holding | | | | will have arrived, and you'll be dreaming again - this |
| it in." Your exhaustion finally takes over and you give | | | | time about the day she will actually be in your arms. |