An Ornament For Emma
By Eichner

December 21st is “Gotcha Day” for our 2 year old daughter Emma. Although we had already trimmed our Christmas tree for the holiday season, we have saved a spot for the last ornament, a very special one, to be hung. It is Emma’s ornament.

My husband, Doug and I, decided to remember the day Emma came home to us with a little celebration. During the year we buy Emma a hand-blown, glass ornament which reminds us of a special occasion. On December 21st Emma unwraps the ornament and we help her hang it on the tree. We take pictures for her memory book and write down the significance of the ornament we chose for that year.

So as I am dressing Emma for her special night, I tell her the story of that very special day two years ago:

“Mommy and Daddy were very sad because we wanted to share our love and life with children but we were not able to grow a baby inside Mommy. We prayed to God that he would help us bring home a special baby. One day Robert called to ask us if we wanted to be the forever mommy and daddy of a beautiful baby girl whose birth mommy and daddy were not able to care for her. That beautiful little baby was you, Emma. Daddy and I spent that entire night writing a letter to your birth parents and putting together a photo album that would show who we were and what we liked to do. A few days later Robert called Daddy to say that your birth parents chose us to be your forever mommy and daddy. Daddy immediately called me on my mobile phone as I walked from work to South Station, I was so happy that I cried tears of joy. The next night Robert came over to give Daddy and I pictures of you at the hospital. We fell in love with you the moment we saw you. You looked so cute wrapped up in your little blanket and white hat with your little stuffed doggie that the nurses gave you. For three weeks you stayed with a very nice lady named Donna and her family. Then the very special day came when Daddy and I got to hold you for the very first time. You were so tiny and beautiful. From our first hug we knew you were the special baby that God had chosen for us. Daddy and I were so excited to bring you to your home and introduce you to your doggie Chloe. Chloe gave you a big lick on the cheek to welcome you. The rest of the day Daddy and I spent cuddling you under the warm glow of the Christmas tree lights. As we watched you sleep we thanked God for bringing you, Emma, a true Christmas angel, home.”

Emma’s special ornament for 2002 is Santa Claus in a sailboat, which we found on an overnight trip to Martha’s Vineyard. This year, after our little ornament-hanging ceremony we made Emma’s favorite dinner, home-made pizza. Although Emma liked eating the pizza we believe her favorite part was rolling the dough with her Daddy as they (tried) to sing Italian love songs. Our hope is that Emma will use her ornaments we have given her over the years to remind her how special she is and how much we love her.

Christmas was extra special this year as we have a new addition to the family, our little son Andrew. Andrew was born in late September and came home with us from the hospital. Our early thoughts for Andrew’s “Gotcha Day” is a yearly family outdoor excursion such as a hike in the Presidential Range in New Hampshire to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and to spend time together as a family. We enjoy “Gotcha Day” because it is a special reminder of our blessings and the love that we share as a family each day of our lives.