In Loving Memory of Ming Cao
On January 23, Madison Adoption Associates lost one of our own - Our Beloved Ming Cao. Ming, along with Richard Zhang, was our China in-country representative. She worked closely with CCCWA advocating on behalf of our families, and on behalf of the children. She joined us on every single China trip since 2009. Her heart for the children was like one we have never seen before. Ming was a fighter. She fought for the hardest to place children, and she fought for our families. After fighting her own brave battle with cancer, Ming is no longer in pain. Ming leaves behind her loving husband and daughter, Tina.

Those of you that were fortunate enough to meet Ming would attest that she was a ray of light- the most positive person you ever met. A fierce and tireless advocate for children. The biggest heart in the world. Ming believed that every child deserved a family, and fought tirelessly to make this happen. Those of us that were privileged enough to spend time with her will never forget her warm embraces; her loud, boisterous, infectious laugh; her always taking pictures of everything and everyone; and how she always became ‘best friends’ with everyone she met. Ming was an angel on earth and we are blessed and forever changed for the better by knowing her.
For those of you whose paperwork need an extra push at CCCWA, Ming was the one who pushed. For those of you who were told No along your journey, Ming was the one who turned that No to a Yes. For those of you who adopted children with significant needs, Ming was the one who made sure their files were prepared. Ming was our unsung, behind-the-scenes hero. But she never did any of it for accolades or
praise. She did it ALL for the children.

We promise you that we will forever honor Ming. What exactly that honoring will look like, we aren’t sure yet. Nothing we do will truly convey how much she meant, and how much she did. But we will do our best to honor her dream, and what she worked so hard for – that EVERY child will have their own family. So stay tuned in the months to come!

In the meantime, we would like to share a letter written by Sara Lang, who retired from MAA in 2017. It was Sara that first introduced MAA to Ming. We thank God she did.

For those of you who were privileged to meet Ming, we invite you to share about her! We would love to include your tributes in how we honor her. Thank you for reading, and thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers. Our hearts are broken at MAA right now, but we know Ming is looking down on us, on you, and on the children she helped, and she is smiling.
To My Dear Ming,
 
           When I met you in 2003, I had no idea that you would become one of the most significant people in my life. We were co-workers, but you also quickly became my friend and my mentor. You showed me your passion and devotion for finding homes for the unwanted children of China. You shared your knowledge and experience with me, and I learned from you that being an adoption professional was so much more than a job. It was the most important thing in your life and because of you, it became the most important thing in my life.
 
           At some point, even without saying it, you and I became a team. After several years at adoption agencies that did not live up to the exceptional service we wanted to provide, we landed at Madison Adoption Associates and everything changed. We began a wonderful journey of working with people who unequivocally wanted what was best for each child. The amazing directors of MAA cared and listened, and because of you, the focus of the placement program shifted more to finding homes for older children and children with special needs.
 
           You had a huge heart for the older children and you were a tireless advocate for them. These young people were your constant priority, as if they were your own. On your trips to the USA to catch up with MAA in person, you brought more determination to help more children. You constantly asked, "What else can we do? How can we make it better for the children? How can we find more families for the children?" You always had a list of children whose files hadn't been made a priority due to their needs. You asked if MAA could place them, and we always promised to try, so you had these children assigned to MAA. You made all of us fall in love with the older children because you loved them.
Madison Adoption Associates had a nickname for you... Miracle Ming. Even for the very hardest to place children, you motivated us to find the perfect families for them. No matter what, you never gave up! So many children come to mind... so many children who have no idea that they had a secret angel working on their behalf.
 
           My favorite moments were our times sitting in the café at Barnes & Noble, talking for hours about the waiting children, often finding ourselves in tears because there are so many children who need the love of a family. And as friends, we shared about our families, our health, our faith, and our plans for the future.
 
           You formed an extraordinary bond with people. All you wanted was for them to be happy. Your spirit was pure and true, compassionate and generous. Very few people in this entire world have been as honorable and courageous as you.
 
            I know that every person we meet in life serves a purpose. Ming, you served a purpose in so many people's lives. Your legacy is endless generations of families who exist because of your love. I'm so grateful to have you in my life and in my heart forever. I love you and I miss you. Thank you for being Ming.
 
Forever,
Sara