Building a New Heart

When I heard

that his mom was a faith-based fitness instructor

and his dad was a corrections officer

I thought twice about taking you to meet your brother.

And when I remembered

that your relatives weren’t able to care for you

and I recalled the conversations with them

that brought you to us

I dreaded packing the car and heading East.

But when I saw

your eyes staring back at me

when we met your brother

and I watched your faces melt into smiles

as you danced and played

and laughed and yelled

I knew this was the right place to be.

And when I watched

the two of you run up to your little sister

on the side of a hill

and she looked just like you

and just like him

and all of a sudden you were building roots

and healing broken connections

and we were all learning who you are,

I was embarrassed that I had been afraid to bring you here.

So when I listened

to your laughter on the long ride home

as you talked about your family,

and I began to understand

how you put it all together,

I started to cry.

“I feel like I have a new heart,” you said,

and drifted off to sleep.