A Night to Remember

By Sharon Beth Brani−

I remember that night like it was yesterday. I was scheduled to fly to Russia in just a few days but still had a number of items to purchase in preparation for adopting a six month old little girl. So I called my mom on the phone and asked if she’d be interested in coming on a shopping trip.

As usual my mom was more than eager to go along. That was one of her special qualities. She always took time to be there for me no matter what my need. That was just how she was. So right after school, we drove together to the mall. She was so excited. She had waited to be a grandmother for many years and now, at seventy, it was finally going to happen. No need to show any more grand dog pictures.

Yes, we talked nonstop the whole way to the mall. I caught her up on the latest details of the adoption process. It had gone so quickly. Only six months. The speed itself had left my head spinning as I completed extensive paperwork and prepared for my life to change dramatically. But from the moment when I saw the little black and white photo of a baby girl in Russia, I knew that she was mine. My parents embraced my desire to adopt with understanding and my mom was beyond happy.

As we walked around the store that evening looking at baby clothes, car seats, baby carriers, etc we kept calling back and forth to each other.

“Sharon, look at this,” my mom would call and I’d turn to see what she held in her hands.

“Oh, mom isn’t this dress the cutest?” I’d say holding up another adorable outfit.

Back and forth we went tossing one thing after another into the cart. We went down through the list of necessary items including gifts to take overseas for various people helping with the adoption process. Perfumes and wallets. Jewelry and stationary. All the time we laughed and talked. Magic seemed to be in the air that night.

I never would have guessed years earlier that I would one day be going to Russia to adopt. No, it wasn’t part of my plan but somehow now that I was hours before flying I knew that it was right. Both mom and I wished that she could fly with me to get her little granddaughter but mom was not physically able to make that long trip. Even so, this special night that we spent shopping together more than made up for it.

All too soon we were done finding everything on my list and we went through the checkout. Together we pushed the cart to the car and loaded all those special items in the trunk. I remember looking up into the starry sky and feeling so blessed.

Well, the years have passed and my mom is no longer with me here on earth. But I sometimes feel her looking down on me and her granddaughters and smiling. And I’m especially thankful for that one special night so long ago. That night that I will always remember.

Sharon Beth Brani M.Ed, LPC, Heartprints Counseling, Coaching and Consulting