Praying For A Sister...

For the longest time our daughter, Ayantu, has prayed for a sister.  Having been adopted when she was 11 months old and being an only child has definitely brought up some interesting and emotional conversations and questions.  

“Papi, how come you and mama can’t have kids?”  

I must admit I didn’t imagine hearing that question from her at such a young age.  I guess I could respond with what the doctors and medical field have told my wife and I over the years, 12 years to be exact and counting.  It’s called “unexplained fertility.”  However, rather than diving into that discussion with my 10 year old, I have opted for a more subtle response.

“I don’t know why sweetie. We want more children, and have prayed for more, but for some reason God has a different plan for us.”  

Her response to my answer usually sounds like this, “...well, good thing we have an orphanage cause its like you and mama have a lot of kids.”

For the past 7 weeks we have had the privilege of having Natalia and Carolina live in our house with us.  When COVID-19 hit Mexico, 10 of the 12 children in our orphanage were able to return to their moms and family to quarantine.  Unfortunately, Natalia (age 10) and Carolina (age 16) don’t have that opportunity.

Natalia was abandoned by her biological dad by the time she was 3.  She has never met him nor knows anything about him.  Although her mother lives just 7 minutes away from the orphanage, Angela is unable to take care of her daughter Natalia and at times, doesn’t seem like she even wants to.

Carolina lost her dad when she was in 1st or 2nd grade.  He died of a head injury.  She and her siblings were than abandoned by their mom, who met another guy and moved in with him.  So, ever since she was about 5 or 6 years old, Caro has been raised by her grandparents.  She came to the orphanage when she was 12.

It has been an absolute joy being a father-like figure to these two girls who have never experience that.  And yes at times, very challenging, especially for Ayantu.  Trying to balance being her dad and yet loving on Caro and Natalia as a father figure as well.  This to has brung up very deep and heartfelt conversations with Ayantu.

A few weeks ago her and I were taking our usual morning walk.  Hand in hand, I asked her how she was doing with things, COVID-19, school work, sharing a room with Natalia, you know, the usual stuff.  I could tell her mind was racing.

“Well, I like having Natalia because I always have someone to play with and its fun sharing a room with her.  And she doesn’t have a family so its nice we can be like a family to her.”

She went on to explain some of the obvious frustrations or challenges that comes with sharing a room, toys, close quarters, etc. As we neared the end of our walk, her next response moved me to tears.  Tears that I had to fight back so she wouldn’t see that her brave, strong papi was crying.

“Plus, you know what dad, I have always wanted a sister.  And now I have one.”

Wow, I was floored, blessed and crying all at the same time.  You see in the midst of pandemics and great challenges like COVID-19, there are still encouraging and hopeful things taking place.  And i will forever treasure that morning walk with my sweet little Antu Faith Sanchez!