Will You Wednesday: Luke (or What Are We Afraid Of?)

Crossposted from my blog at Stefanie's request.

It's a beautiful snowy Wednesday morning in eastern Washington. My kids and husband are still tucked in bed, and I am awake. Lately, several little ones have been on my mind. My own little ones (who are not so little anymore!), of course, but other children, as well.

At four o'clock this morning, I woke up with Luke on my mind. A few people have asked if a family has come forward for Luke. I don't know. Last I heard, someone was reviewing his file, but I've had no confirmation of that and no email saying he's been matched.

I'm assuming, he's still without a family, and I can't help but wonder why. Granted, I haven't seen his file. I have no idea what hidden issues there might be. He does seem quite small for his age, but I think he will grow quickly now that he has had surgery to correct a diaphragmatic hernia.


Perhaps people who read about Luke are afraid. He is small for his age. The people at AOW have mentioned that he was quite shy when he arrived. He has a club foot, mild cerebral palsy and, now, he has been diagnosed and treated for a diaphragmatic hernia. Perhaps he has a syndrome. Perhaps he will be delayed. Perhaps he will never be chubby and robust. Perhaps he will have trouble transitioning into a family.

And perhaps none of those things matter.

Luke is not a commodity. He is not a prize. He is not a made-to-order son. He is a special little boy. Gifted and challenged, just like each one of us. An individual with individual needs and desires and abilities. He is not perfect, this little guy with his scrawny arms and legs and his impish grin:


but he is precious.

And he is worthy of love and family and a chance to grow into the person he is meant to be. Sometimes, I think we get too caught up in the what-ifs, and it closes us off to the 'what-can-be's. We are so afraid of what might happen that we lose sight of what is most important. I look at photos like these:









And I am reminded of one simple truth. These children I wake up thinking about, these kids with their diagnosis and challenges and unknowns, they are simply kids. If they had been born to any of us, they would have been loved and cared for and cosseted. They would have been given the best treatment from the earliest age. There would be no question about their future. It would have been sealed from the moment of their births, because they would have been ours. And that bond would never have been broken. No matter how big the challenges.

But all is not lost for children who, like Luke, were not born into a family that could love them forever. There is still the possibility of that unbreakable bond forming. There is still a chance for kids like Luke to be cared for and cosseted and given the best treatment available. All they need are families willing to accept them exactly how they are, mother and fathers willing to fight with them and for them and beside them. Willing to say...."No matter what the future holds, we will be in it with you."

Will you?

This photo was taken when Luke returned "home" after surgery. How much more wonderful would it be to see a photo of Luke home with his family?



If you are interested in receiving more information about Luke, please contact me at shirlee@shirleemccoy.com.