Journey to adoption complete for Cox family

The bond between parent and child can be one of the strongest, most influential relationships formed in any person's life. In the roles of provider and protector, parents strive to give their children the necessary tools to advance into the unpredictable world beyond the secure walls of home. As such, children often take on many of the qualities and characteristics of their parents.

Though an adopted child may have a different appearance than their new family, the hope is that the love and bond in that relationship will form, as well. It certainly looks to be the case in respect to Piggott native Lannie Cox, his wife Laura, and their newly-adopted two-year-old son Mason Manish.

As for parental bonds, there exists already an undeniable link between Lannie and young Mason; both are legally blind.

"The conclusion I came to was that I had been through a lot of what he's going through," Lannie said of the couple's decision to adopt Mason. "I've had the experience of dealing with the challenges facing the blind and would be able to equip him for the future. I've been very fortunate to have been a part of a wonderful family and have the strong support of a community like Piggott. I wanted to impart that upon a child who had a real need for it."

Unlike many families who adopt, Lannie and Laura are able to medically have children. The couple has a lovely four-year-old daughter, Sylvia. Yet the thought of a young blind child in an orphanage in another country poorly equipped to handle his special needs haunted the family.

Lannie and Laura first considered adoption early last year. The couple attended a potluck dinner in which they met with families who had adopted children from India through Hope For Children, a Christian non-profit organization which helps place children from India with American families. There the couple met Lisa Goodwin, one of the organization's directors in India. At first, Lannie and Laura had inquired about a little girl. However, when Goodwin met Mason, she contacted the Coxes immediately. It sounded like a perfect fit to Lannie and Laura and the quest to add to their family officially began.

"We feel that God has brought him to us," Lannie said. "God made this connection. He led us to Mason specifically. We went from not really knowing what our plans were to finding this amazing little boy and bringing him into our family. Everything fell into place. That couldn't have happened without God making it so."

The couple traveled to India to pick up Mason on Jan. 8. If one needed further indication to show the miraculous nature of the family's coming together, it came through in the fact the day Lannie and Laura picked their son up was his actual birthday. Mason met his new parents the day he turned two.

"A lot of families celebrate the day they pick up their child as his or her birthday, but it actually was Mason's birthday when we went to get him," Laura said.

And the surprises haven't stopped coming yet.

"He can see a ton more than they first thought," Laura said. "We were under the impression that he was completely blind. He can see shapes, facial expressions and colors. He actually sees better than Lannie."

Lannie and Laura, who live in St. Louis, recently visited Piggott to introduce Mason to the other members of his family. Lannie also wanted to acquaint his son with the community which offered its assistance in helping him find his new home.

"People in this community were wonderful during this entire situation," Lannie said. "Members of the community and the South Thornton Church of Christ were just outstanding in showing their support of us. We received several gifts and there were even funds provided to help with the cost of adoption. Everyone has just been great."

Lannie said the work which went into the adoption was significant. The total cost of the adoption is estimated between $25,000 to $35,000. The couple had to fill out paperwork which when weighed, came in at over three pounds.

"There was a lot of work involved," Lannie said. "Filling out the paperwork was almost like a second job for Laura."

In the end, though, the couple say the addition to their family was more than worth the effort.

"We've been blessed with a wonderful little boy," Lannie said. "In just this short time, he's already a complete part of our family. He knows I'm his dad and he sees Laura as his mommy. We're so very happy to have Mason in our family."

The family plans to return to Piggott Feb. 3 for a shower and a further opportunity to share their family with the community.