We have been married for 28 years with two wonderful children, Francis, 22, and Makara, 17. Our journey, however, has not been as easy as it would seem from these first sentences…

Our new family’s enthusiasm was immediately quenched by the news, after a fetal ultrasound, of a son with a severe heart malformation. Believing strongly in life, we carried the pregnancy forward, with the hope that we could still give Lorenzo a future. Unfortunately, however, our hope was extinguished in the eighth month of pregnancy.

This dramatic moment in our journey as a couple greatly sapped us, leading us to seek comfort only in ourselves. Selfishness as self-defense accompanied us for some time until, having picked up our pieces, we were able to raise our heads again and begin to be one “we” and no longer two wounded “I ”s.

Francis was born, which charged us with new energy, a desire to smile at life, and much, much joy. After two years, Niccolo was born, and unfortunately, we again had to face the nightmare of heart defects. When Niccolo also died, we again plunged into darkness: we felt we had no strength or hope left. And again we went on by inertia, clinging to work but having Francis, thank God, as our only purpose in life.

And then, an idea materialized in us, first a little vague and then well-defined: adoption. The death of a child leaves you with an immense void, and the only way to fill it is to fill it with love. To come to this realization alone is impossible; you need to feel the affection of family, friends, and a community close by to support you and help you on your way. Prayer and communion with God gives you the strength to find courage and face life’s challenges.

And so from Cambodia came our daughter Makara, who immediately won our hearts. She and Francis have given meaning to our story, to our life as a couple, rekindling that dream that we had suddenly seemed to have lost in the grief. What sometimes seems incomprehensible to us suddenly opens up a horizon full of light. We must be able to rely on each other, with the certainty that even in hardship “everything works out for good for those who love God.”

Anna and Luca

Friends of MEG Italy