One year ago. Where were you? Me? I was sitting around dreaming about my new life with my sweet baby girl, Hadiya Claira Chalos. Don't get me wrong - we went through an agonizing process of having to say no to a double referral because we felt that we "didn't have the money." hahahaha - Now I look back and laugh at what we thought. We said no to the sweetest, most precious angel who is currently sleeping in the very next room, and will more than likely wake up tomorrow (as he does many days) with a big smile on his face, asking for his Mama. But before he came home - before our miracle money for Odette - we suffered a great loss. On December 22, 2012, Claira didn't wake up. She went to heaven. Although there was great rejoicing at the pearly gates - this Mama and Papa lost their "first child." It was gut wrenching and heart breaking. However, this was our journey. I believe that someone was needed to carry on her name - and so we were the lucky ones. The ones who will always remember her face and name, and we will carry it with us forever. Sometime after Claira passed away, and we were moving forward with the process - we realized that we should do more than just remember her. We should DO something - change the lives of other orphans in her name. So here we are. We want to start something called Hadiya Claira's Stocking. Every year, we hope that we can fill her stocking with so much goodness - with your help - that the lives of other orphans will be remarkably changed. When we read the following story, we KNEW that this was to be the mission of HC's stocking this year. PLEASE take a minute to read this adoptive families' story. It is incredibly tragic - but we all know that great things can stem from tragedy - look at our growing family of (soon to be) FIVE.
After you read this story, PLEASE consider pulling your family together and buying a piece for each family member. Even ONE piece WILL make a difference. Imagine what a Christmas miracle you could be a part of. If you were apart of our miracle night, then you KNOW what it is to watch lives being changed in the moment. We are so incredibly thankful for the amazing support that we have been given in each of you! We hope that you will share this on facebook, twitter, with your office - WHATEVER - let's just get these two kids to their (as Etta would call it) Nyumba - to their forever home.
Here is the link. May we forever remember this sweet girl who will live in our hearts and remind us that we can do amazing things together.
http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/thesundermanfamilysadoptionstory/29510
Love,
The Chalos Party of (almost) Five
