This blog is coming ‘live’ from the bathroom of room #712 at the Dorint Hotel Amsterdam. We have a 15 hour layover and Lucas is asleep in the ‘bedroom’ so we are camped out in a very euro-style bathroom with our laptops, glasses of cabernet and wireless internet access…..ah the luxury of conveniences…. .or is it the convenience of luxury.
Well, almost luxury…..on the plane ride from Kiev to Amsterdam this afternoon we experienced one of those precious husband/wife moments of miscommunication. Dave expressed how glad he was to be able to check all of the baggage through to Minneapolis
We have come to adore Sasha’s expressions of genuine joy upon our arrival. Today was a little different as we embraced the sweet sound of adaptation:
“Hi Mum! Hi Ded! Me no Sasha, please me Jason!”
We spent a couple of hours at the orphanage this morning – our last day. We knew we had to manage time well and it was reinforced when we saw how sad Jason was today. We brought a laptop to show him pictures – especially the ones he took yesterday when he was with us during his furlough to Kyiv with us. His friends gathered around and he proudly showed them the shots from his travels to the riverfront, our apartment and Maidan. He then navigated them through pictures from home in the States and pictures we took at the orphanage over the last 5 weeks.
The other dimension of the day was seeing some of our favorite staff at the orphanage (Anna, Tatiana the children's worker, Natasha-the cook) and the children we all grew to love. Part of our time was saying goodbye to them. It was also a beautiful day. Part of our visit was playing outside with the younger as well as older children on the playground and soccer. Even Jessie (orphanage dog) gave long hugs.
The other dimension of the day was seeing some of our favorite staff at the orphanage (Anna, Tatiana the children's worker, Natasha-the cook) and the children we all grew to love. Part of our time was saying goodbye to them. It was also a beautiful day. Part of our visit was playing outside with the younger as well as older children on the playground and soccer. Even Jessie (orphanage dog) gave long hugs.
When it was time to say “Good-bye” to Sasha, we held on tight. He held on tight. We gave lots of kisses. He kept saying "I love you! I love you!" How hard it was to go!
We were sad too. Even though everything about today was in our normal routine it felt like things do when we are doing them for the last time. Wanting to capture every last detail and lock it away, Hoping that the sites, smells, sounds and feelings can be contained so we can take them out and relive them over and over.
We are so thankful that as we left the soil of Ukraine today - Sasha's soil - that we can safely knowing the court is complete, we only need the decree and he is ours and we are his.
Hi Jeanne, Dave, and Lucas:
ReplyDeleteWe are grateful the 3 of you are ambassadors, pioneers of the hopeful future adoptive families in the U.S.A. The pictures and stories
are so helpful to share and to prepare. For those who might have missed my subtle double entendre, here is 2 Corinthians 5:20:
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Still praying and waiting for our turn....
Curt and Peggy Kristensen