My daughter Leslie turns 16 today! Happy Birthday dear Leslie! I love you and I'm so proud to be your mom. It is such a sacrifice you make and you never once complained when we had to have your party early because I was travelling. Just like Julia when I went to Latvia and we had to do the same for her. I know you understand because you were once without a family too and these girls need to have the same chance to be surrounded by so many of us who will love them!
I love you precious girl!
This morning I went for a long walk in Sofia. I started out thinking I would make it to the Lion's Bridge, but went right instead of left when the road split so I just had a different walk than I intended.
Tomorrow I will turn left!
I had the honor of having lunch with Toni and her mom today! What a family this is! I know each of us keep saying that during and after our trips, but until you are here and see how this whole family works to help these kids you really have no idea how it consumes everything they do. All of their time is spent getting these children homes.
The Budapest is just as nice as everyone says. I do agree that at night it is cold here. I have the heat turned up all the way and it is not warm - not cold, but to warn you that you might want to think extra blanket when you are packing. There were enough blankets that I slept well, but sitting in the room toward the window it is chilly.
The free breakfast was great....hint for those following me: The restaurant is downstairs and the buffet is around the corner in another room from where the tables are. There is a waiter there who keeps the buffet stocked but when I came in he was no where to be seen and I didn't see the food and just sat down in the first table. Then he came and pointed to the little room and there was the food. It was a good buffet and good coffee.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Chow, Maria
So today I had to say goodbye to my Maria. How can 5 days go so quickly? What happens tomorrow she wakes up and the lady with the green bag of interseting things doesn't come back? And not only me but the nose lady? That would be Toni. With the weather turning cold Toni's nose started to run, making it necessary to blow it quite often. After one day when Maria would see Toni she would put her hand to her own little nose and make the blowing sound! Several times this week she would turn to Toni and make that gesture!
So now that she's had this one on one attention all week, will she think the person we all asked her to call "Mama" will ever come back?
All my children have an adoption song..and so perfectly here is Maria's:
MARIA by Stephen Curtis Chapman
Maria -she's too young to understand, but old enough to feel the pain
Of living where no love can grow, with no hope for change
Maria - her world is an angry place but she makes sure the scars don't show
And with every hurt her tender heart is growing cold (but)
CHORUS: Who? who's gonna love Maria?
Who's gonna touch her with the tenderness she longs for
Like a desert longs for rain
She's got a hunger deep inside and with every tear she cries
She wonders if there's someone out there somewhere
Who's gonna love Maria? (Maria)
She looks in the mirror now and the little girl is gone
But still the search for someone's love goes on and on for Maria
But does anybody care or even notice her at all?
Is anyone listening close enough to hear her call? (and who)
CHORUS: Who? who's gonna love Maria?
Who, who's gonna touch her with the tenderness she longs for
Like a desert longs for rain
She's got a hunger deep inside and with every tear she cries
She wonders if there's someone out there
BRIDGE: Maria if you can hear me, please know that you're not forgotten
Somebody's trying to get to you
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Last Day with Maria
Today will be a day of transition. Saying goodbye to Maria, leaving her town, going back to Sofia to a different hotel. But although I dread saying goodbye to her this means that I'm on my way to meet Sofia. What a bittersweet feeling to have to leave one daughter behind in order to meet the other.
Yesterday's visits were wonderful. We were able to be outside again although towards the end the wind really picked up and started to sprinkle. More smiles, more vocalizing, more hugs, more kisses.
Maria was all about the lotion yesterday. She had gotten comfortable enought to dig through the bag I used to bring toys for her to play with. She found the lotion bottle and gestured for me to open it. The marathon began of me putting some on her hands helping her rubbing it in and then she would take a tissue and wipe it all off and then we started over again.
I guess I have to edit that she was all about the lotion - I should have said all about the lotion and all about "patty-cake" Oh my gosh - maybe a half an hour of repeating it and going through the motions! She even started chanting along with me. Not the words, but vocalizing right in time with the words.
We were lucky enough to see Mary's son Marty yesterday! While we were outside the Physical therapist came walking by with young Marin in tow! He looked great. He even wandered off a short ways while the PT was talking with Toni.
Mary was able to see Maria in July when she was there visiting Martin. I know how much that means for someone to see your child.
I will post some pictures from yesterday tonight when I get settled in the new hotel.
Yesterday's visits were wonderful. We were able to be outside again although towards the end the wind really picked up and started to sprinkle. More smiles, more vocalizing, more hugs, more kisses.
Maria was all about the lotion yesterday. She had gotten comfortable enought to dig through the bag I used to bring toys for her to play with. She found the lotion bottle and gestured for me to open it. The marathon began of me putting some on her hands helping her rubbing it in and then she would take a tissue and wipe it all off and then we started over again.
I guess I have to edit that she was all about the lotion - I should have said all about the lotion and all about "patty-cake" Oh my gosh - maybe a half an hour of repeating it and going through the motions! She even started chanting along with me. Not the words, but vocalizing right in time with the words.
We were lucky enough to see Mary's son Marty yesterday! While we were outside the Physical therapist came walking by with young Marin in tow! He looked great. He even wandered off a short ways while the PT was talking with Toni.
Mary was able to see Maria in July when she was there visiting Martin. I know how much that means for someone to see your child.
I will post some pictures from yesterday tonight when I get settled in the new hotel.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Wednesday Monring -first visit
Today we got to take her out of the orphanage for a trip to the photographer for her Visa picture. The caretaker, who it turns out to be her "teacher" came with us. She is the woman who was doing exercises with Maria in the lobby yesterday. She's very good with her, but knows no English. I would have loved to have a long conversation with her. Toni did ask some questions and gave me great information,but still it's not like communicating in the same language.
Maria absolutely loved the car ride. Just like in the visit room she sat still, didn't fight the seat belt, and didn't try to stand up.
We walked quite a distance (for her) from where we parked to the photographer. Maria walked the whole way holding onto the teacher's hand and mine. When she got into the shop and the teacher sat her on the stool she sat like a little statue, but she could not hold her gaze at the camera. Her eyes were darting every which way, just taking in everything in the store. But she never moved - never tried to get down, never a fuss. Finally he got the "mug shot" that the regulations require. Amazing little girl!
When we got back to the orphanage we finally got to spend some time outside. It has been rainy and windy the first two days. Today was sunny and warmer - although we still needed jackets. They are working on the road to the orphanage and she wasn't fascinated with the trucks and tractors like your little Martin, Mary, but instead the noise was distressing to her. She didn't cry, but the jack hammer breaking up concrete was definately worrying her. I showed her the sign for loud and tried to reassure her, but everytime it started up her face clouded over.
Toni took some video of her walking so I can show it to the Physical Therapist at school. She has one foot -her right foot, turns out quite a bit when she walks and still at 8 she is not steady on her feet. (although I've not seen her fall).
She kissed me! Once when she first came in with her teacher. Walked over to me asked with her arms to be picked up and within a few minutes, kissed me!
Then towards the end of the visit I was standing holding her and rocking and she kissed me again! Oh my gosh! I love this child! I can't even begin to think of Friday and saying "chow" to her for the last time. This is going to be so hard. But I'm going to focus on NOW and stop worrying about the future. I see her again in just 3 1/2 hours.
Maria absolutely loved the car ride. Just like in the visit room she sat still, didn't fight the seat belt, and didn't try to stand up.
We walked quite a distance (for her) from where we parked to the photographer. Maria walked the whole way holding onto the teacher's hand and mine. When she got into the shop and the teacher sat her on the stool she sat like a little statue, but she could not hold her gaze at the camera. Her eyes were darting every which way, just taking in everything in the store. But she never moved - never tried to get down, never a fuss. Finally he got the "mug shot" that the regulations require. Amazing little girl!
When we got back to the orphanage we finally got to spend some time outside. It has been rainy and windy the first two days. Today was sunny and warmer - although we still needed jackets. They are working on the road to the orphanage and she wasn't fascinated with the trucks and tractors like your little Martin, Mary, but instead the noise was distressing to her. She didn't cry, but the jack hammer breaking up concrete was definately worrying her. I showed her the sign for loud and tried to reassure her, but everytime it started up her face clouded over.
Toni took some video of her walking so I can show it to the Physical Therapist at school. She has one foot -her right foot, turns out quite a bit when she walks and still at 8 she is not steady on her feet. (although I've not seen her fall).
She kissed me! Once when she first came in with her teacher. Walked over to me asked with her arms to be picked up and within a few minutes, kissed me!
Then towards the end of the visit I was standing holding her and rocking and she kissed me again! Oh my gosh! I love this child! I can't even begin to think of Friday and saying "chow" to her for the last time. This is going to be so hard. But I'm going to focus on NOW and stop worrying about the future. I see her again in just 3 1/2 hours.
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