Growing up my best friend was a guy named Dave. He was my best friend mostly because of proximity – he and his family lived next door and they couldn’t avoid me. Dave would have been friends with whoever lived next door though, because that’s the kind of guy he is. Dave is likeable and he gets along with just about anyone. Easygoing is one way to describe him. A nice guy would be another. But whatever lable you try and pin on him what it all boils down to is this: Dave is a great human being. Kind, considerate, caring, thoughtful… You have to be a pretty big jerk for Dave to not like you. We don’t talk much now and we see each other less often, but I’m thankful for the time I had with him as a kid. Being able to call him a friend is one of the things about my youth that I cherish.
I get e-mail updates every few weeks from Dave and his wife, Angie, about their life together in Utah. The two of them were married several years ago and figured they’d live out their lives like most people, having children and sharing the love. Unfortunately, life has a twisted sense of humor. For whatever reason – call it fate, biology, “God’s plan” – the two of them can’t have children. That’s not the way it’s supposed to work. Good people are supposed to rewarded, I always believe. It doesn’t seem fair to me that Dave and Angie can’t have kids, but people who have no business being parents can pop babies out one after the other and collect their welfare checks without any trouble. I’m sure most folks can think of people who shouldn’t be procreating. Here are two great people with big hearts and they can’t produce their own little holy terrors. It’s a shame.
So, a couple years ago they decided to adopt, and they brought Jaycee into their home. Precocious, cute, fun, lovable – she’s just what they needed. There’s only one problem: she’s all alone in Dave and Angie’s house, with no siblings, and she’s getting smothered by her parent’s love.
Dave and Angie have a lot of love to give, and they’re hoping to adopt again. But a second adopted child is turning out to be nearly as elusive as the biological one. A few weeks ago I received an e-mail from Angie asking for help:
As you all know we are hoping to adopt again. We’ve been grateful for everyone’s prayers and support throughout our adoption journey. Many adoptive parents and children are connected through close associations. Because of this we would like to ask for your help. If you know of a birth mother who is thinking about placing her child for adoption, we would appreciate help in recommending us to the birth mother. If she is willing to consider us as adoptive parents, please contact us or have her contact our caseworker…
Dave and Angie have their adoption profile online here.
This blog gets a few hits. I figure with the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon in effect anything is possible. It can’t hurt to try. If you think you know someone who might be giving up a child for adoption, please contact me at cb.holmes@gmail.com and I’ll forward the info to Dave and Angie. I’d post their e-mail but I don’t feel like subjecting them to spam. Me – I can take it.