Parents don’t like waiting while the wheels of adoption grind along. They know that with every month that passes, the children they wait for are growing up.

These parents long to be the ones who wake during the night to sooth their children after their nightmares. They want to spend their evenings at parent-teacher conferences or at the kitchen table helping their children with their homework.

It’s really difficult to wait while the faceless and unknown persons in county and state offices meet, read files, review documents, prepare reports, and eventually take action.

The holiday season is a particularly difficult time to wait. Moms and dads want to carve pumpkins and begin building memories. They want to go holiday shopping and wrap presents with their children.

Yes, that means they are eager for the challenges as well. They are ready to love beyond the anger and hurts of their children. And they’re ready to love beyond their own fears and imperfections.

It is so, so hard to wait, when you’re ready to share your life.

If I could, I’d ask waiting parents to do these things: Live your lives. Stay engaged with your friends and community. Find things to laugh about. And be tenacious. Don’t stop reminding us that you are ready. And above all – for the sake of the children – don’t give up. Please don’t go away. Please, please don’t quit waiting.