***
“Your chicken soup is so delicious, Cherie. Thank you,” Piper said as she sat at her kitchen table with Cherie and sipped her soup. The savory and salty flavors blended perfectly, satisfying Piper’s hunger and soothing her soul.
“Thank you! I’ve spent a lot of time perfecting it. Chicken soup is my favorite.”
“Your chicken soup is my favorite! Even beats broccoli cheese.”
Piper thought of the purpose for Cherie’s visit and decided it was time to break into that conversation. “How did you do it, Cherie? My miscarriage doesn’t even compare to what you’ve been through. And look at you. No one would even know that you’ve been through hell.”
“That’s true. I have.” Cherie looked down at the soup in front of her as she gently stirred her soup. “You know, I’m not sure how I’ve gotten through this. I guess I’m an optimist, always looking on the bright side. The bright side of losing my babies is that they are now in Jesus’ arms. That’s the only bright side. I know that Jesus is loving them and loving on them and they are in heaven, in paradise.”
“Patrick is with them.”
“Yes, he is. And he’s happy, Piper. So happy. He served his calling, which was to make you even stronger than you already are. It will be because of him that you do some things in your life that you wouldn’t have normally done, whether it’s adopting children or being just a little more thankful for those you will eventually have. I’m so thankful for the children that Chase and I adopted. We’re giving them better lives and we would have never done that if we hadn’t lost our own. And Chase is now the kind of person he never would have been had our traumas not happened. I’m sure of that. Everything has a purpose and meaning. We had to go through hell to get to heaven. Just like Jesus.”
“That’s amazing, Cherie. You are such an inspiration to me and I’m so glad you’re here. I’m going through hell, but will hopefully get to heaven. Hopefully I’ll be blessed with children of my own, but if not, adoption is certainly an option. There are a few kids in the home I’ve been paying special attention to lately. Maybe I’ll talk to Nick about bringing them into our home.”
“No one said you can’t have your own children either. You’ll have children, Piper. Maybe you might consider both having children and adopting children.”
“Hmm. Yeah, maybe. My only issue with adoption is that I’m a little worried about hurting the feelings of the kids I don’t choose.”
“I understand that. I was worried about that too. Prayer helps. God guided us to the ones we chose. Trust Him. He’ll select them for you and He’ll comfort the unchosen.”