In July of 2010 (18 months ago) I was in the 4th of 12 months of chemo, Ron had just deployed and I was competing for the title of Mrs. International. I had no expectations for myself that July...I simply wanted to feel well enough to make it through Nationals. I didn't need to win, I needed to not be nauseous or tired or worried about Ron. I didn't need anything extraordinary to happen. But it did. Two things, actually. The first thing, happened to me, just after the Finals Competiton. I walked out from backstage and looked for my posse, and saw them all chatting with others. All of a sudden a really mean girl approached me and said to me, " You must be really disappointed". My response was, " No, not at all". The mean girl persisted, " I mean you worked so hard and you didn't even make the Top 10". The ugly side of Pageantry. That was presumptuous of her that I wanted to win, that I worked hard or that I was disappointed in the outcome. I did my best to make it through and I accomplished just that...in a way I was victorious beyond the obvious goal. Enough about me.
The second thing I wish to tell you about is as follows. Since Ron was deployed,  I needed someone to escort me onstage during Evening Gown Competition. I asked my cousin Chris and he happily agreed. Ron and I are close to Chris and Marla and they have always been so supportive of us. During the Top 10 on-stage interview, Chris heard the platform of Shannon Devine- International Adoption. They started their journey in 2009 to adopt a child from Vietnam. You cannot imagine the red tape and resistance that my cousin and his wife encountered. Endless at times....got to the point where many of my family members simply stopped asking when Gabriel was coming home.I'll not recap the political portion of this story, but I always believed that so much more could have been done. Never was acceptable  to me and certainly not acceptable to Chris and Marla. Nonetheless, as Chris sat in the audience and heard Shannon speak so eliquently of her own journey with International Adoption....well, a lightbulb went off and Chris called me the next week asking me if I thougth she could help. Shannon won the crown and after i called her and shared my cousins plight, long story short, she WAS able to assist Chris and Marla in their goal of bringing Gabriel home.
The day after Thanksgiving 2011, Chris packed his bags and flew 1/2 way around the world to the Bac Lieu region of Vietnam. He had one goal; He was not leaving VietNam without his son! Something extraordinary did happen and on Christmas morning we recieved word that Gabriel was theirs. He is now home with his family.....little brother Conner is learning the share, and I got my wish too.
 


Comments

Brigitte Beling link
01/09/2012 15:12

What a great and inspirational story. Thanks for being number one everyday.
Sending lots of love,
Brigitte

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