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Sunday, November 3, 2013

Ethiopian Adventure #2, Days 13-14


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!

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