Day 13
This morning we went to the transition house. “T”s nanny wanted to fix her hair before she
left for the US. We also wanted to see
the nannies before we left as well.
There were also a few errands we had to run since our friend/social
worker forgot a few things at the transition house J (I’m sure we’ll figure out a good ransom for
her yellow pillow!) We held a few more
babies and chatted with some of the nannies!
I also attempted to help “T”s nanny with her hair. Well, it boiled down to me holding and
separating some extensions. But the
nanny’s smile led me to believe that she knew I meant well! I know that I wasn’t all that much help!!!
Then we had to say goodbye. I knew that this would be difficult, but I
had no idea how much. There were several
of the nannies that we had become quite close with. Even though there is a language barrier, we
have such a connection with a couple of them.
I cried and hugged them over and over.
“T”s specific nanny had a gift for us - a beautiful framed
painting. It will always hang in a very
special place in our home. I can’t say
how much I appreciate this woman. She cared
for our daughter for 7 months. She loved
her like she was her own. She comforted
her when she was sad and she laughed with her when she was happy. It’s a really good thing we’ll get to see her
again when we pick up “M^” because I don’t think I could handle not knowing
when I’d see her again. She (along with
the other nannies) is so very special to us.
After the teary farewell we headed back to the guest
house. There is a family with their 3
adopted kids staying at the guest house as well. “T” played with the other kiddos there. She and the other little girl got along so
very well! We ate lunch at the guest
house and then talked “T” into taking a nap.
We used that time to pack and prep everything for our long journey
home.
We ate dinner and then had the
difficulty of saying goodbye to our friends that operate the guest house. We spent a little time in the courtyard
waiting for the taxi to arrive. We
talked with our dear friend and her baby.
(Hopefully they will be coming home in a few weeks!) We hugged our friends that run the house and
the tears started flowing. They are so
very good to us. This process would not
be the same without their friendship, help, prayers and love for children in
need.
We loaded up the taxi and headed to the airport. One of the guest house guys went with us as
well. Kevin, “T”, and I sat in the back
of the taxi van. It’s about a 15 minute
ride to the airport. “T” was tired, but
I wanted her to watch out the window. I
wanted to tell her how important it was that she soak up as much of this
country before she leaves to live in the US.
I couldn’t help but cry. Here we
were on the very last leg of this particular adoption journey and I couldn’t
help but cry. We have been so excited
for “T” to come home to the US, to be here with us. We are excited to be her parents. For us it’s a wonderful, exciting thing. However at her age she doesn’t even know what
she’s losing. There has been so much
loss in her short life and she’s not even aware of how long it will be until
she sees this place again. Obviously, I
think adoption is a wonderful thing.
Through adoption children have loving forever families. Children NEED families! However, there is an enormous amount loss for
these children as well. This is a
process that impacts many different groups in different ways . . . families,
communities, circles of friends, congregations, and schools. The community (and really family that has
been formed) at the transition house is affected with the incoming of the
children and then the eventual loss of these children to their US families. Our community in our town is affected by this
occasion with joy of a child being added to our family. There are many different groups affected and facets
to this journey. Ultimately “T” (and “M^”)
will be in a loving family with an extraordinarily supportive community
surrounding her. My prayers will be of
thanksgiving for the gift of a daughter.
I will pray for her to grow up strong and wise. However, I will also always have a prayer for
the loss she, and those around her, have experienced through this process. I think all of this is why I couldn’t help
but cry so many times throughout this day!
We arrived at the airport. Yet another good bye to our dear friend who
runs the guest house. I couldn’t stop
telling him how much we appreciate him, how thankful we are to know him and
call him our friend. We walked toward
the airport and got in line for security.
I was so impressed with what an amazing job “T” did going through all of
the scanners and everything. Once at the
gate, we sat, talked with our friends that were also headed home, and waited
for our plane.
It was finally time to board the plane and start the long
journey home. It would take us about 30
hours until we finally would get home.
Day 14
All things considering “T” did a great job on the plane. She was not scared of take-off or
landing. The only incidents we had
revolved around having to wear a seatbelt (she had never had to before!) and
how mommy messed up buttering her biscuit at breakfast. So . . . if those were the only upsets, we
were great!
The fed us on the plane . . . they fed us a lot, and
often. It seemed like every 4 hours they
were bringing something down the aisles.
That kept “T” busy, along with the TV in the back of the seat in front
of her. She watched parts of 14
different movies I think. She thought it
was great that she could control it stopping and starting. We also had a 2 hour stretch where “T” played
with her sticker book. (Yes, you read
that right . . . 2 hours straight!) My
mommy-in-law is a genius! She gave “T” 1000
stickers and a book to put them in. We
named all sorts of things and “T” learned the English words for many things.
Landing in DC
We arrive in DC. I
think this is day 14 still. Honestly, I’m
not really sure anymore! We have
absolutely no issues with immigration or customs. Smooth.
We find our next gate and decide to have some lunch. Wendy’s sounds good. So . . . “T” has her first taste of American fast
food!
She likes her chicken nuggets and French fries. The frosty however, is not enjoyed. She doesn’t like things that are cold! Not a fan of ice in drinks or ice cream! We finished up and get ready for our flight
to Chicago. No problems. “T” falls asleep while we’re in Chicago
waiting for our next plane. It’s delayed
slightly. She sleeps through boarding
the next plane, take-off, landing, AND me carrying her off the plane. She only wakes up when we’re getting our
baggage!
A friend of ours picks us up from the airport. He’s out for bonus points from the newest
Burke girl because he has an ice cream waiting for her in the van! So sweet!
We ride home. “T” and I both fall
asleep in the van. I wake up right as we’re
pulling into town. What a great feeling
. . . being home! We get to the drive
way and I’m just so excited to see “M*”, “S”, and “K”! We walk in and you can just feel the guarded
excitement! We had some close friends (“T”s
godparents) watch the girls while we’re gone.
They prepared the other 3 girls so well for our homecoming. The girls were so gentle and calm. WOW!
“T”s godparents stay for just a little bit. They see “T” go off to play with the other
girls and explore the house a little. We
say our goodbyes to them. We can’t ever
thank them enough! Then, we’re alone . .
. in our house . . . as a family of 6.
Whoa! I sometimes thought this
day would never come.
It was a good evening.
We played for a little bit, showed “T” around and then got ready for
bed. “T” slept soundly all night, all of
the girls did. It was awesome!
