Grieving + Healing ❤️‍🩹

6 months ago, we welcomed a newborn into our family through adoption and we were in the process of finalizing our adoption as early as this upcoming January. Sadly, our baby was taken away three days before Christmas because the biological mother decided to raise her. It was a complete shock to us because in the 10-years history of our adoption agency, such a change in heart this long into the process was a first, the longest being days after placement in an adoptive family. This baby is being taken care of by a foster family until the family court decides whether the biological mom is fit to raise her.

I’ll never know if this outcome is the best for this baby, but I do take comfort in knowing that God is sovereign and He is in control. Still, I miss her and can’t believe she is gone. I hurt the most from wondering how our two littles are handling with this loss, not being old enough for me to explain this situation to them other than, “She’s gone,” to which my daughter replied, “She’s coming back!” This baby doll happened to be my daughter’s Christmas gift and I bawled while my husband wrapped it, being reminded of the real baby we used to hold in our arms.

This experience taught me to 1) hold on tight to the ones we do have in front of us, never taking them for granted, and 2), the consequences of our actions, including the good and bad we do to others—and even ourselves—having a ripple effect on not just ourselves but families, and even a nation. Marnie embodies this and her classes is the well I go to for my healing journey; I found myself doing her classes the day I learned our baby will be taken from us and on the actual day we said goodbye. I was still crying during the warm up but by the end I felt such a release and was so glad I have a space to get out of my head through movement.

Whether you are rejoicing or weeping this season, you’re not alone. Wishing the M/BODY fam a wonderful holiday and cheers to us in 2026 🤍