Several years ago, when my wife and I were visiting China, doing some touristy stuff, and traveling to one of the more out-of-the-way cities, we were lounging in our hotel room when we were unexpectedly roused from our groggy jet-lagged daze by a soft knock on the door. I opened the door, and a young woman I’d never seen before and whose name I was never able to learn gently handed me an infant girl and a small envelope of papers. And then, before we could fully grasp what was happening, she was gone. I don’t think we ever saw her again.
The infant was dressed in several layers of clothing–all her worldly possessions, it turned out. She was perspiring from wearing so many clothes and appeared unhappy and confused. There was no question that she was somewhat ill. There was also no question that we were a little bit unprepared for this.
But not completely unprepared. We’d been waiting for this day for a very long time. All the paperwork had been done and all the forms had been filed. We had diapers, wipes, formula, new clothing, an assortment of toys, medicines, remedies, and gadgets. We’d read the books. We had a lot of facts. But this was reality. It tastes and smells a lot different.
The day the baby is given to his or her “forever family” is called “Gotcha Day.” I’m not sure who is the subject and who is the object of that gotcha. There are convincing arguments for several different interpretations.
How did having children change things for you?
If you don’t have any children, perhaps you know people who do, or remember stories from your parents about how you changed their lives.
