We're back and there's news!

So we found a rhythm to life; then we got a  a bolt of lightning.

On Monday we heard the news that Raina's Birth Parents gave birth to a baby just under four weeks ago. This is Raina's full sibling and Monday  was the first time we had heard any of this news. 

As you can imagine, we went straight into shock and have continued to be shell-shocked ever since. This is why I felt compelled to write an entry here, as our blog was always a place of sanctuary for posting our adoption related thoughts.  We don't want to mention anything to our families as we are not prepared for the questions; to which we have little by way of answers.  Also it may come to nothing...

We are so surprised but more than anything else we are left with lots of questions.  Fortunately, over the last two days, we have been lucky to have been given updates from social workers about her progress and her situation. She has been discharged from hospital. We are told she is doing ok. In a bizarre twist of fate, she has moved to Raina's last foster carer to live under an Emergency  Care Order.  This is strangely comforting for us, knowing Raina's tiny baby sister will be well looked after.  

At the moment it seems there are no answers to the questions about 'what happens next'. As we are unsure about the plans for this child, we have held emergency 'family summits' to discuss what, if any involvement we envisage with Raina's little sister. We did not hesitate to write to social services and state our interest in adopting this child, should (and its no guarantee) a plan for adoption be decided as the best course of action. Failing that, we indicated that we would like direct contact between the siblings, feeling this would be in both their interests. 

We are now planning the best way to let Raina know she has a sister, as this feels like something she needs to know. Being able to let her know that she's staying with the foster carer that she loved so much might help any fears she might have about her and her safety. 

Moving forward, we may need to explain that she is living with birth parents (if Social Services deem them able to look after her). This is what we feel will be hard; explaining to Raina how they could 'change' for her sister; when they couldn't for her. Ouch. That would really hurt. 

So anyway, we are in a strange place and what's more the completely unexpected nature of the news being  totally out of the blue, has left us shell-shocked and rational thinking is very hard. 

We've got so many questions and various scenarios would have the potential to change all of our lives. 

For now we are just trying to be glad that Raina has a full- sibling. Someone who she is genetically linked to; who shares her story; and could be a connection to her birth family when me and Momma pass away. In a nice way; she's not alone anymore. An odd concept, considering she doesn't even know she exists yet!

I've just read this back and although it sounds like the rumblings of a mad woman; I actually do feel slightly calmer for the cathartic process of having written this post. Thanks for reading. 

Will keep you updated. 

Hannah and Ruth