Last update

One last update before we are on a plane.  We spent the morning with Asa.  It was a very sweet time.  He came to me with his arms up, saying, "Mama!"  We had a great time playing outside.  His group walked by us at one time and all of the children were yelling, "Dada!"  And of course Asa cleared that right up by telling them all, "This is MY Dada!  And MY Mama!"  No sharing of Mamas and Dadas!

 

We gave gifts to the orphanage director, psychologist and the nannies.  They were sincerely appreciative of the purses, wallets, candies, lotions and sprays.  It is hard living in places like this and buying things to pamper oneself is sometimes impossible.  We hope that they are blessed by our small gesture of gratitude.

 

When it was time to leave, the psychologist and our agency coordinator started telling the kids that we had to leave for a while and we would be back.  You could see the kids' little faces fall.  Asa was visibly withdrawn and would not speak to us for a while.  One child threw his hat and toy down and cried.  And one little girl told her mama that she did not want to stay, she wants to go with her "mama".  Oh it was heartbreaking. 

 

We left Asa a little stuffed dog and told him that was to help him remember that Mama and Dada are coming back.  We also left him a picture of the three of us to hang in his locker where he keeps his shoes and clothes.  He kept looking at the picture and naming all of us, "Mama, Vladik, Dada" over and over.  We are also very happy that the orphanage psychologist has a picture album from us to show to Asa and talk about the time that he comes home with his semya, his family.

 

Tonight we will enjoy one last dinner with our travel group, pack, shower and head to the airport at 2 am.  Our flight will arrive at 10:30 pm on Tuesday.  We are ready to come home.  Heartbroken that one little man is not with us, but knowing that we will see him again soon and bring him home soon!

 

love,

mike&karla&Asa-Vladik