Tipping The Scales

Today would have been my dad's 62nd birthday.  He died in 2006.  Typically, this is a day of remembrance for my family, especially for my mom who still feels his loss very acutely.

But this year, my dad's birthday is associated with a different milestone. Today, Rex is tipping the scales.  Today Rex has been in our family longer than he was in state care in Armenia.  I know today isn't going to be different from any other Monday we've had this school year.  Rex isn't suddenly going to overcome his challenges because of a special date on the calendar.  There isn't a magic switch flipping today that will erase his experiences of the first two and a half years of his life.  But, the date does mean something to me.  Rex's life is with us and we have filled it with love, joy, adventures, learning opportunities, trust, safety, family - as opposed to what he had before we adopted him.  Our efforts are bearing fruit in Rex's heart and mind and he is so very changed from the child we brought home in July 2011, changed even from the boy he was a year ago.  Time does play a part in that process and today we mark it by acknowledging that the scales have tipped.  Rex was an orphan for too long, but has now been a son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew, and friend for longer.

Even though they never met, I am pretty sure that my dad, who wasn't always easy to live with, but whom I miss nonetheless, is very proud of his first and only grandson.