A Letter from Amanda to Josiah.

Hey little brother, eight months ago I didn't know you existed. When mom and dad first decided to adopt they didn't know how old you were gonna be, where you were gonna be from, or what you looked like.  One day mom was on Reece's Rainbow scrolling through the "waiting kids" list and your picture came up on the screen. Right then and there she knew you were her's. She called me over to look, as I saw your picture something in my head said "He's my baby brother, I need to hold him, he needs to be here with us." From then on you never left my mind. You were two at the time. Mom told dad about you, he knew as well that you were his boy. Mom and dad committed to adopt you,  We have loved you since we saw your picture. Even though we have never met you.
Mom told me if we didn't adopt you and you turned four because you have Down Syndrome you would be sent to this place called a mental institution. Where you and other kids would probably die within the first months. You  could be tied to your crib, only taken out for a feeding or a diaper change. When I heard about this terrible place I cried for the kids who were sent there just because they are different.  YOU would not be one of them.
We began on this long journey to bring you home. First the home study we prepared for it by cleaning every room and putting your crib up. Bev, our social worker, came and did the home study. Little brother, you don't know how nervous I was when it was my turn to be interviewed. I thought maybe I would say the wrong thing and we wouldn't be able to adopt you. I didn't though. After months of waiting Bev sent us our completed home study. Mom and dad then finished all of the other paper work. All we could do was wait. Wait for the committee to send us a date for mom and dad to go meet you. It was just a big waiting game. One day, right when I got home from school, mom got a phone call. I could tell it was an important one. It seemed like she was on the phone for a life time! When she hung up the phone she looked at me. I immediately knew what it was about and started crying, happy tears of course! Mom and dad had just gotten the date to go and meet you!
Little brother, I want you to know you have taught me A LOT. Before I knew about you I used to say the R-word a lot. Now I never say it. You have taught me that when people say words like that it hurts the family members of a person who has special needs. You have shown me that I want to adopt someday and open a special needs daycare.
Little brother, every night I think about you and wonder what it'd be like to be you, all alone, with no one there for you when you are hurt or sad. No one to love you. But then I realize mommy and daddy will be there for you soon. You will come home and forget all about being alone. I don't know what I would be doing if I never knew about you.
Even though we have never met, I love you more than words can explain. I can't wait until that day when you come home and I get to see you and hug you My life will never be the same. I love you!!!!!!
 
Love your Big Sister Amanda!