Greetings from San Antonio!
Dear Parents-in-Waiting,
A belated Happy Memorial Day to you all-the temperatures here are already
soaring, so it definitely feels like Summer is upon us, though I think the
calendar says we're still supposed to be enjoying Spring for another week
or so!
As discussed in last month's
newsletter, I'd like to introduce one member of A.S.A. s staff each month,
so that you may better understand the role each one of us plays in our efforts
to help you build your family through adoption. Last month I introduced one
of the newest members of the staff, Assistant Counselor, Kirsten Grams, and
this month I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to Nikki Lopez, another
member of the counseling staff, and in fact the member with one of the longest
tenures at the agency…
"Old counselors never die - and never forget you either… I've been on staff
at A.S.A. for ten years and originally hail from western Oregon - the land
of mountains, rivers, flower children, and The Ducks. I'm a University of
Oregon grad but am enchanted with Texas, San Antonio life, and my work with
A.S.A. We've shared many tears of every emotion together with our clients
and felt a part of hundreds of families, time after time. It's a precious
privilege, and that's my life… In between the leisure of camping and swimming
with George, Toni, and Mikhail, the newest member of the family, my eight
year old foster son… I'm looking forward to many more matches and new friends…"
Since Father's Day is only a few days away, it seems only fitting to wish
some brand-new Daddies a Happy Father's Day…during the past few weeks we've
welcomed seven new precious babies into the world: David, Emily, Brandon,
Katherine, Donald, Elias, and Daniel have joined the A.S.A. family…
This Sunday will undoubtedly be an extra-special day for seven new fathers,
and we of course extend our "Congratulations" to the moms, as well! I recently
came across this wonderful piece by Erma Bombeck that I'd like to share with
you, in honor of Father's Day…I thought it was precious…
When God Created Fathers
By Erma Bombeck
When the good Lord was creating fathers, He started with a tall frame. And
a female angel nearby said, "What kind of father is that? If you're going
to make children so close to the ground, why have you put fathers up so high?
He won't he able to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without
bending, or even kiss a child without a lot of stooping."
And God smiled and said, "Yes, but if I make him child size, who would children
have to look up to?"
And when God made a father's hands, they were large and sinewy. And the angel
shook her head sadly and said, "Do You know what You're doing? Large hands
are clumsy. They can't manage diaper pins, small buttons, rubber bands on
pony tails or even remove splinters caused by baseball bats."
God smiled and said, "I know, but they're large enough to hold everything
a small boy empties from his pockets at the end of a day ... yet small enough
to cup a child's face."
Then God molded long, slim legs and broad shoulders. The angel nearly had
a heart attack. "Boy, this is the end of the week, all right" she clucked.
"Do You realize You just made a father without a lap? How is he going to pull
a child close to him without the kid falling between his legs?"
God smiled and said, "A mother needs a lap. A father needs strong shoulders
to pull a sled, balance a boy on a bicycle or hold a sleepy head on the way
home from the circus."
God was in the middle of creating two of the largest feet anyone had ever
seen when the angel could contain herself no longer. "That's not fair. Do
You honestly think those large boats are going to dig out of bed early in
the morning when the baby cries? Or walk through a small birthday party without
crushing at least three of the guests?"
And God smiled and said,"They'll work. You'll see. They'll support a small
child who wants to "ride a horse to Banbury Cross" or scare off mice at the
summer cabin, or display shoes that will be a challenge to fill."
God worked throughout the night, giving the father few words, but a firm authoritative
voice; eyes that see everything, but remain calm and tolerant. Finally, almost
as an after thought, He added tears. Then He turned to the angel and said,
"Now are you satisfied that he can love as much as a mother?" And the angel
shutteth up!
On that note, I'd like to wish every one of you a wonderful weekend, and extend
an invitation for you to contact me anytime with your thoughts, concerns,
or questions. As many of you know, I work outside the office on Tuesdays and
Thursdays and can be reached at the email address dgaribay2000@yahoo.com.
I check in for messages throughout these days, as well, and am happy to return
your calls. You may reach me in the office, as usual, on Mondays, Wednesdays,
and Fridays by phone or: dgaribay@adoptionservicesassociates.org.
I genuinely appreciate the feedback you offer, and enjoy the opportunity to
get to know you better during our conversations and correspondence.
Warm Regards, Denise Garibay
Director of Social Services Adoption Services Associates
