Second Year, Second Star

“The second star to the right
Shines in the night for you
To tell you that the dreams you plan
Really can come true."

--Peter Pan, Jr.

As we get ready to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of Wendy's "Gotcha Day," I've been thinking a lot about Peter Pan.  Perhaps that's because Maddie has been in two different productions of Peter Pan, Jr. in the last six months, or perhaps it's just another sign of how life works out the way it is supposed to.

As other adoptive families probably can relate, when you are waiting for so long, you are looking for signs everywhere: signs you are doing the right thing, signs you can keep hoping for the dream that seems impossible, signs everything will turn out all right in the end.

I suppose it is no small accident that Maddie's musical appearances have been in a production with a main character named Wendy. People often think we chose the name because of Peter Pan, but actually, we just liked the name and didn't know about all of the connections to the story. Having seen the production numerous times now, I'm moved by all of the signs in it. It is apropos that this character is a strong female who loves to tell stories and serves as a mother-figure to the Lost Boys. She is also the character who reminds her brothers how much they miss their own mothers through the sweet song, "Your Mother and Mine." In the movie Hook, the grown up character is even honored for her dedication to finding homes for orphans. Sigh. 

"The second star to the right
Shines with a light that's rare,
And if it's Never Land you need
Its light will lead you there."

 

Both girls are doing so well, and I know we are incredibly blessed. Between play practice, volleyball and violin, Maddie keeps us hopping. I can't believe she will be a teenager next month. Our "threenager" keeps cracking us up with her funny sayings and actions.  When someone drops something, she says, "Oopsie-spaghettiOs!" She also likes to make phone calls to family members on a calculator, and she measures people and objects with a ruler. A few days ago, she told me I was using "potty language" when I was singing along to Meghan Trainor's "All About That Bass" in the car. (The offensive word was "booty.") Oops, or rather, oopsie-spaghettiOs! Both girls like to remind me they are growing, and like Peter Pan, I want to freeze time and keep them in this magical moment forever. But, alas, the character Wendy will remind me that everyone must grow up sooner or later.

"Twinkle, twinkle little star
So we'll know where you are
Gleaming in the skies above
Lead us to the land we dream of."

So, here we are, two years later. Two years. How is that even possible? I'm used to looking at pictures from our trip to China and noticing how much Wendy has changed. What surprises me though is how much Maddie has changed, too. People tell me all the time that Wendy doesn't seem like the same child we first met. I suppose we aren't the same people either. We breathe easier, and we laugh more. Our house is messy, but our hearts are full.  I'm truly grateful for the pixie dust in our lives!

"And when our journey is through

Each time we say 'Goodnight,'

We'll thank the little star that shines

The second from the right."