The two very best Christmas presents I ever got were my two children. Yes, they both came a few days before Christmas. My children are adopted so here's the story.
We had decided to adopt children. We came out of the arctic for one year while we were looking for a transfer. We decided to make and application for adoption here. They told us that it might be two years before we would be placed. So the application is long and detailed. There are also interviews and home inspections. A number of references are required and then you wait. We took them seriously that it could be two years.
Well surprise, surprise. They phoned a few days before Christmas to tell us they had a six week old boy for us and could we come up the next day and pick him up.
Well, there was no way this would work. We did not have one piece of stuff for a baby: no crib, no clothes, no food, no diapers. We had nothing for a new baby. The micro manager is quick ion her feet and asked for more time. She also phoned in her resignation. So the next day she shopped until she dropped and got everything she needed for a new baby.
We went to Edmonton and arrived at the appointed time. Again, more interviews. Did we really want a child? So finally the little beaner was brought out for us to see. He was beautiful. We were left alone and asked to discuss the issue. There was really no discussion to be had. So after a few hours we were proudly on our way home
So exactly two years later we get the same call just a few days before Christmas. There were fewer questions this time. We were still asked if we wanted this child. We were asked to discuss it with each other. We were given the child to hold. Who could resist this five week old little girl? Meanwhile our son was completely ignoring the issue. He found some toys to play with. He had no idea what was going on. So a couple of hours later we were on our way home with our new daughter.
So that ended our association with the Arctic. Fifty six and fifty four years later I can still look back at those two wonderful Christmas presents.
So every Christmas I think of the wonderful Christmas presents and how long they have lasted.
