There Is No Border To The Human Heart's Desire For A Meaningful Life

Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzalez 19 killed by border control (left) M & M, Guatemala visit 2017

I awoke today to this picture of a Guatemalan girl killed by border control and I immediately thought of our last trip back to Guatemala to meet the birth family of our daughter. I thought of the moment we stepped inside a shop and both girls asked to try on the native clothing of their birthplace. I'll never forget watching how natural and proud they seemed to feel as the woman slipped on material that validated where they began. One of many lost puzzle pieces given to them for a moment in time. I can't begin to know the loss that comes with adoption. Of all the good there is the loss of a name, a country and a piece of their soul. The next day the entire birth family traveled on a bus for over five hours to meet us. I also thought of Mia's birthmother whom I talk to on a weekly basis. She made the same journey as Claudia and is holding down two jobs, even getting her certificate in forklift operations and trying to learn English. She has never asked for a penny from us even though we have offered. If we insist she ends up buying things for both girls with what we give her. She understands that these humans are all of our children. She has asked only that we love her daughter and provide her with all that she was not given simply because of the world she was born to.

Keep in mind, I have family members and friends that risk their life on a daily basis as police officers, a U.S. Marshall, Firemen and even Border ControI. I don't know what it is like to face danger and even the threat of death every day. I know their hearts and they too are good and loving people. This post isn't a political commentary on what we should or shouldn't do - it is merely an understanding that behind every political situation there exists human stories, hearts, and goodness (even in the perceived face of evil).

The teachings of Pema Chodron taught me that there is gloriousness and wretchedness in all matters of life. This is not about walls, taxes and immigration as much as it is about the human heart's desire for a meaninful life. They don't tell us that she was a rare female college graduate in accounting unable to find employment.

As Mazy so simply and eloquently says as she sits next to me while I write this - "that could be me - you know how competive I am when I think there is somethig better"

Yes, sweet Mazy - I know.