We experienced the joy and sorrow of a "homecoming trip" today. Nanchang rolled out the red carpet (literally) for our son's reunion trip to his former orphanage. Each child's adoption story is incredibly personal and unique so we will only share a bit here and leave the rest up to him to share with whom he wants.
Today, Jonathan (formerly know as Hong Yuan Tao) was treated like royalty, which made a very hard occasion a little easier to bare. As we approached the orphanage (one of the largest in China with portions underwritten by Half the Sky and Holt International), a large red banner read Welcome Hong Yuan Tao Back Home. This brought a huge smile to his face. He was shocked and thrilled all at the same time! I think they were a little excited when he asked if he could have it so he could hang it at his house. His former foster mom was hanging laundry as we approached their apartment (housed on the orphanage grounds) and recognized Jonathan right away! It was a tender moment as she ran down the stairs to greet him. Following eating lunch with all the vice chairmans/directors (i.e., the big wigs), the orphanage director graciously gave him a plate with the symbol of the capital of Jiangxi (Nanchang) on it--the summer palace of the former emperor. While this was a drastically different reunion on so many levels, it provided some information we did not know before, comfort and hope.
What impacted us all most, though, were the many children still left in the orphanage. Ironically, I had just posted a petition to my Facebook page requesting friends to sign it in hopes of Congress reviewing recent actions of the Department of State making international adoption more difficult. Then our guide shared with me new laws within China making it more difficult for smaller agencies to help facilitate adoptions within China. All of this breaks my heart as we counted 25 toddlers in a room with five nannies. One was going to be adopted, but all the rest would remain waiting. And just like in the US, the older a child gets their chance for adoption reduces. And, just like in the US, children with special needs are not sought after, but passed over for a "more perfect" child. One thing I have learned as a teacher and parent is that there is no perfect child...we ALL have our stuff!
And so I leave you with the beautiful faces of children desiring a family. Please consider adoption! We are here to answer any questions you may have about adoption and would be honored to walk it with you.
And so I leave you with the beautiful faces of children desiring a family. Please consider adoption! We are here to answer any questions you may have about adoption and would be honored to walk it with you.
This world is not our home, we're just passing through!