I remember In
a poorly lit hotel hallway in the City of Nanchang, Peoples Republic of China, a
miracle would take place this day - 8 families were born. After many months of
waiting and still more waiting we were all brought together for this day. All of
our lives would forever be changed and we would become linked forever with each
other.
I remember
The day started much like any other, since we had arrived in China instead of
rushing to see some new exciting place. We rushed to the airport in Hong Kong to
board a plane heading north to our daughters. When we reached Nanchang riding on
a bus that would take us to our hotel, we were told about the wonderful country
our daughters had been born in. I tried very hard to take in all that I saw,
smelled, and heard so that one day when she asked I could tell my little one
about her birth country. I had so little information to give her, I needed this.
Our oldest daughter kept saying "look at that" over and over. She too, was
taking it all in.
I remember
When we arrived at the hotel from the airport we were told that all of the
babies would be there soon; That we had better get settled in our rooms, they
would call us when the babies arrived. All of the parents to be were so excited
and nervous whether they were 1st time parents or seasoned veterans
in the parenting arena. We all had the “what is going to happen next” nerves.
Would these little people like us or not? Could we be good parents to someone
who so deserves the best parents possible? We quickly made ready for our new
little ones then we waited. We waited what seemed like days! We walked the
hallways talking about anything and everything, stopping every so often hoping
that we would hear one of the phones ringing and it would be our rep telling us
they were here.
I remember
Finally the phones started ringing. We all made our way to our reps. room only
to be told that one of the orphanages would arrive late. Could we stand waiting
a little longer? But through our disappointment an amazing thing was taking
place: our friends were becoming families. One by one a babies' name was called
and eager parents would step forward to receive a great blessing - a child to
love. One by one we each made our way back to our rooms; some of us to learn
about this new little person who had become their own, some of us to wait just a
little bit longer.
I remember
Once more the phones rang. This time all of us would become families. We all
rushed to the reps room once more -- some to receive a wonderful gift, others to
see the special moment. Nervously we waited for our babies name to be called.
Our older daughter could hardly contain herself in her excitement. The moment
she had waited for her whole life was arriving -- she was becoming a big sister.
To see the joy this moment brought reminded me that I had to stay calm for her
sake. Then that name I had held in my heart was called and I finally after 18
long months of waiting held an angel in my arms. First she just stared at me as
if to say 'who are you?' But as soon as she saw her Nanny turn and leave, she
let me know that she was not at all happy with the arrangement and even though
my angel was very angry with the situation, all I felt was joy that I could
finally hold her in my arms. I tried to calm her by telling her over and over
how much she meant to us and that she now had a forever family. At that time she
didn’t understand, but by the end of the week we were a family.
Now, one year later we have a house full of love and laughter. We wake up to the joy of sisters laughing about some funny thing -- to the joy of a family complete with all it’s members. Sure, we have had some adjustments but nothing that we couldn’t overcome. A year later and I remember this day it remains in my memory as sharp and clear as ever. All I have to do is close my eyes, and I can see the sights, hear the noises, and smell the smells that met me on a bus traveling to our daughter.
Happy Gotcha Day Vickie Jo!!! We all Love you so...
Mommy, Daddy, and Cassie