This Reminds Me

Look at my blog

And you will see

A clue about

What’s important to me.

Years ago – and I can’t remember exactly when or why – I prepared a “Valentine’s Day Treasure Hunt” for the girls.  It’s a tradition now – Mom’s gotta do it.  I hide clues all over the house, leading to a surprise for each of them.  The rhyming clues are short and grow progressively more difficult as the hunt continues.  The girls race from room to room in search of that next clue and ultimately – their treasure.

“John 3:16 in a Bible blue means another clue just for you.”  Okay, so I’m not much of a poet….

Today was no exception.  I roused them early while Keith went to snag a breakfast treat of doughnuts and kolaches.  Rachel explained the concept of the hunt to Julia, who was quick to join in.  When she found a clue, she would pass it to a sister to read aloud.  The girls finally discovered their treasures, tucked in the pink cooler under the stairs.  The prizes were nothing fancy.  A much-desired striped I-pod case for Rachel.  A “Nightmare Before Christmas” music box for Lois.  A snazzy pink watch for fashion diva Hannah.  A “Tom & Jerry” DVD set for Julia.

And they all smiled.

A year ago today – and I remember it in rich detail – we concluded a “Treasure Hunt” of our own.  Keith and I traveled 5,600+ miles to meet 6-year-old Guanna-to-be-Julia in St. Petersburg, Russia.  We had to do it.  We had ignored divine nudges for years, and finally got a clue we needed to get moving.  We began our hunt in July 2004 and as we continued, every step grew progressively more difficult.  We signed, sorted and stapled as we raced from notary to state apostille office to Fed Ex, with friends reminding us to keep our often-discouraged eyes on the prize.

Our first meeting – Valentine’s Day, 2006.  Her favorite color was purple – I had to love her!

Today was exceptional, as we reflected on meeting Guanna-to-be-Julia for the first time.  Crunching through snow to Children’s Home #47.  Sniffing feral cat up two flights of narrow, chipped concrete stairs.  The musty smell in the cramped director’s office.  How small Guanna-to-be-Julia seemed, and yet so brave.  How nervous we were as we hunched on too-small chairs, clutching a bag of toys and wondering, “Will she like us?  Does she want a home?”  We fell in love with the treasure we we discovered tucked away in Children’s Home #47, and were determined to bring her home.  What our familly wanted was not fancy.  We wanted a cherished lil’sis for Rachel.  An admirer for Lois.  A playmate for Hannah.  Another daughter for ourselves.  And, yes – a family for Guanna-to-be-Julia.

And we’ve all smiled.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  Matthew 6:21

Happy Valentine’s Day.

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