31 years ago....

How do you write about something that happened 31 years ago and keep it fresh and interesting, especially to those who know my story. Here's the latest version of how my world was turned upside down in a 30 hour period. When I was first married, I wanted oodles of children, at least four or five. However; God had other intentions in mind for me and after 8 years of marriage, I still wasn't able to have children so I applied to an adoption agency in Oklahoma. Now, having a husband in the military, the average time spent in one place was 3 years. After waiting two years and six months, and a home visit that failed terribly (our then dog jumped up on the social worker and I had coffee grounds in her coffee), the social worker called and started a routine conversation. She wanted to know if I was working, how my attitude was and if there was anything new in my life. I could hear take a deep breath on the other end of the phone and she said there was a baby girl for me. "What??" I said. "Are you sure?" "ME?" The social worker then asked if I wanted her to call back after the screaming had died down and give me all the particulars. I said, "Don't you dare hang up! I want to hear everything: How much does she weigh, how old is she, what does she look like and when does she get to come live with me?" Calmly the social worker gave me all the information and told me to appear at noon on Wednesday to pick her up in Tulsa. Now, being a Monday evening at 5 pm, it didn't leave much time for me to prepare for this new baby coming into my life. After the social worker hung up, I just sat thinking, "God, my heart is overflowing with love for this new baby girl and I can't believe this is happening to me." Long story short.....A daughter by the name of Sarah Elizabeth came to live with me on a stormy Wednesday afternoon. She was perfect in every way!! What an amazing experience to know in less than 30 hours, I would become a mom. Yes, there was a bit of a meltdown the night before we went to get her, but my blessing from God has been worth all the joys, love and tears a mom feels for a child. I have watched this baby grow from a small baby to a young woman who has a child of her own. She is beautiful inside and out and I can't wait for the next chapter in her life as she continues to grow in God's grace and love. I am blessed beyond measure and I'm sure she feels the same way when she looks at her own son with that knowing smile indicating,"God loves me, and my love as a mother is something to be treasured and valued through all the days of my life." Nothing is beter than that!!!! My story hasn't stopped and later in life, I received another gift from God in the form of my husband. He had several children so in the long run, my dream of having lots of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren has come true. But that's another story for another time..... Recently when my daughter came for a visit, she requested a meal of meat loaf and baked potatoes. So here is the basic recipe for meatloaf. 2 pounds ground beef 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt shakes of a pepper shaker 1/4 cup finely chopped onion a handful of oatmeal 1 egg 1/4 cup ketchup for the top Blend all ingredients together except the ketcup. Place the meat in a pie plate and shape in a round loaf. Pour the ketchup over the top and use a fork to spread the ketcup all over the top. Bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour. Place foil covered potatoes in the oven with the meat loaf and the meal will be done all at one time.