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At 5 am the chanting from the mosque woke us up. Our 2 year old said, “I don’t like that man. He’s mean.” We tried to convince her it was okay, but she didn’t think any reason was good enough to talk that loud that early in the morning. Daddy agreed.
We were so awake that we decided to just get baths and breakfast and dress. Our agency’s guesthouse provides breakfast fixings, so we made scrambled eggs and rolls for breakfast, and got everyone dressed. By 8 AM both the 2 and 5 year olds were melting down, and I was wondering how on earth they would ever be ok when it was time to meet our new girls. I laid them both back down to sleep some more.
At 9:00 Nate, our agency’s family liaison, arrived. Since the little girls were still sleeping and he had an errand to run, he decided to wait an hour to bring us to see our new girls. I felt bad to be delaying it. But I figured we’d waited this long — another hour wouldn’t really make that much difference.
An hour later we were driving down the rutted road to Layla house, on our way to meet our girls. A layer of jet lag made the drive seem surreal. I didn’t really have any idea what we’d say or do once we met our girls face to face.
At the blue gate Nate honked the horn, and pretty soon the gate creaked open to let us drive in. Directly in front of the parking area, the soccer field was full of kids having P.E. As soon as we got out of the car and the kids got a look at our faces, I heard several yell out the names of our girls. It seems amazing in a group of over 100 kids, but the kids can usually recognize their friend’s parents when they arrive, just because they know whose families are due and know what they look like by looking at their albums. Off several children ran to find our girls, and we followed breathlessly, not sure when we would be face to face with them.
The first stop was the classroom of our older daughter. A child ran in to get her and out she came, looking tremulous. She and I took one look at each other and we were both instantly crying and hugging. When greeting our other four adopted children (each of whom arrived as babies or toddlers) I was always sure I would be crying on first meeting. But I never actually did — until this meeting with these older girls.
The fact that they had lived through the loss of their mother while old enough to be aware of what was happening made my heart hurt for them. And to be greeted, not with fear, but with a tearful embrace, touched my heart even more deeply. It felt more like a reunion than a first meeting. And yet while hugging her, I was also getting to know her.
She was tinier than I’d expected, even though people had told me she was small. In photographs there is a maturity to her face and a presence about her that makes you expect a bigger child. But when you see her in person it is obvious she is still a child.
We hugged and rocked and I wiped her eyes while she sobbed and I sobbed. I had the feeling she was relieved. Relieved that we’d come (we later learned she’d thought we were coming a week sooner). Relieved at the warmth of our embrace. And most of all relieved because she and her sister were no longer alone in the world. I don’t know — maybe I was imagining the relief. But it did seem that just seeing us took a huge load off her.
After a little while I turned her to hug her daddy and her two little sisters, which she did enthusiastically. She picked up the two year old proudly to carry her while she led the way in search of our younger daughter.
Oh Mary, I have tears. We are pulling for your family, our hearts go out to your new little girls.
Oh Mary. You made me cry the ugly cry.
We have prayed for you guys for so long on this. I can’t imagine how you guys are feeling right now. I never thought about the fact that it could be so different this time, with the girls being older and all. By now, you are all together, I’m sure.
Praise God. Praise God. Praise God.
I’ve been checking all day just waiting for your post. Just so happy for you and your family. The good thoughts and prayers are continuing.
fantastic! I’m cheering from my living room as tears run down my face……..what a great day for your family!
Meg
Oh, wow! That’s all I can think to say . . . except I want more!
The tears are flowing with joy for you and the girls, but also for the ache you feel for their mom and their loss. I am so happy to know you are there and that John is with you. I am sure there have been many more hugs by now. Thank you for letting us get a glimpse of all of this.
I am so happy for you. And hope you know that you made me cry. I am so touched by your reunion and as a future mother (soon hopefully) of my own sibling group waiting at Layla..I can honestly say you have made me so excited to go and greet mygals and little boy ASAP…Thanks for being so descriptive. For those of us who have never been to the guest house etc..you have painted a sweet picture.
DJ http://www.injerahotdog.blogspot.com
OH MY GOODNESS!!!! Mary, THANK YOU for sharing in such detail this AMAZING STORY OF GRACE!!!!!!! My heart was beating fast as I read about your travels through the gate, the kids running to get your girls, and the “walk” to your oldest girls classroom! And I felt nervous as you wrote of the first face to face….then I felt the relief as you embraced! AMAZING! BEAUTIFUL! GLORIOUS!
We are REJOICING with you and PRAYING for you and the girls (all 4 of them!)!!!
Sob. Sniffle. Sob.
What a wonderful meeting! Thank you for sharing this. I can’t wait to read your next post!
Thank you Mary for sharing such a private moment with us.
Oh Mary, what a beautiful experience for all of you! I can’t wait to read more–thank you for sharing your journey!
mary…tears are streaming down my face right now. through your writing you have once again captured such an amazing moment in your life. i can hardly wait to read more. xo
Your writing is so beautiful! It makes me feel like I’m almost there. What a good beginning. I imagine it will be a great deal of work helping your whole family feel totally normal again. I’m so glad for all of you…so glad you finally are together!
Mary,
I am just in tears…sitting here in a computer cafe crying. What a beautiful, honest, and God-filled moment you just shared with us. My heart both leaps with joy and breaks with sadness for your two newest daughters. God is good, always.
I’m so happy for you and your ever-growing family! God Bless You ALL!!!
Thanks for sharing, I’m wiping tears away!!!
Mary,
Like many others, I’m also wiping the tears off of my cheeks. I will continue to pray for your family as you all bring home the newest members.
God Bless,
Abby
It takes a lot to make me cry, and I am literally surrounded with tears and I can’t stop. That is by far the best post you have ever written. I am so so so so happy your girls have a family. I have been praying each day your you all. I hope you have a wonderful rest of stay in Ethiopia
Kate
Congratulations on being with your whole family now! Thank you so much for bringing us along. God bless you guys!
Thank you Mary. I am glad I am not the only one crying.
Oh I am in tears! It reminds me of meeting our kids in Ethiopia. Beth was SO much smaller than I could even have imagined. And she also seemed relieved we were there. And as time passed, it was as though a weight were lifted and she could relax and be a kid again.
Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful!
Congratulations Mary & family!