Freedom took on a whole new meaning this year on the 4th of July.
When we landed in the USA with Mia almost a month ago, I was emotional as I saw the American flag on one of the airplanes.
We were home and Mia was FREE!
So many times while we were in Ukraine, the people would say "Oh you are so lucky to live in America, She is so lucky to get to go to America" Being away from America, made us appreciate it even more when we got back.
I have always been a sucker for patriotic songs and I always cry in the star spangled banner, or when I see a flag waving, but this year was a new level of appreciation for the freedom that this holiday represents
A new appreciation of what it means to be free
A new sense of honor to sing " I am proud to be an American"
A new sense of gratitude for the country we live in
and the true freedom that we enjoy
and the NEW freedom that Mia is now able to enjoy
Freedom to LIVE
Freedom to be who she wants to be
and not be sentenced to life in an institution just because of an extra chromosome
Freedom to play
Freedom to just be a kid
Freedom to love
and be loved
Freedom to shine
to eat when she wants to eat and sleep when she wants to sleep
Freedom to feel valued and important
Finally after 4 years,
this little girl knows what it REALLY means to be FREE!
And because of her, we are learning a new meaning of freedom
We are learning that life is full of opportunities and miracles, if we will just learn to
Embrace the world around us
Embrace the possibilities
Give thanks for what we have
Be amazed at what life is all about
Be amazed at all the little things
the little things that we may take for granted,
but that so many like Mia, have never ever known.
Mia is embracing her new life and her new freedom
just like she was always meant to do
just like she deserves to do
Loved this post. So true and I am so glad Mia is here, able to experience whatever she wants.
ReplyDeleteJennifer from CA
Beautiful post! Your family looks so complete in those photos! So happy to see you all together! Adorable!!
ReplyDeletei just love the new shots of you all together! you all look so right! lovely lovely lovely xxx
ReplyDeleteThis brightened my day! So much to be thankful for! xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures and words!! I love how Bree is waving to the crowds during the bike parade! Wish we had something fun like that in our neighborhood, but I guess that would mean I need to start it...yikes!! Yikes!
ReplyDeleteRochelle
Elk Grove, CA
Love watching Mia be free. I really love living in America. How blessed we really are. Reading about all these journeys to get these sweet children home reminds me of that daily. Looking forward to having our little one home for next 4th of July.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! A good reminder to be grateful. We are very blessed. Such a beautiful family.
ReplyDeleteBecause of Mia, we ALL have a new appreciation of what it means to be FREE!
ReplyDeleteLovely post and lovely photos!!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to see how she seems to have seamlessly fit right in! Those dresses on the girls are absolutely adorable btw! Love them!!
That family picture is so cute!!
What a wonderful family you have.
ReplyDelete