April 08, 2005
Little Tara Vika
Dear John: I watched our new daughter fall asleep tonight. In our apartment. She has the face of an angel.
It's been a long, exhausting, wonderful day. We started out early and ended late, with a bunch of stops along the way. (John, you know these kinds of days; Sally says she hasn't done this much all year). But we picked up a birth certificate that names us as parents, and went to the notary's office, the authentication office, the Ukraine passport office,these are the only ones I can remember. Each stop, I signed my name, knowing I was just one step closer...
By 3 pm, we arrived at Little Birch Tree orphanage. The caregiver gently prodded Tara to wake up from her nap. She walked into the hallway, sleepy-eyed with messy hair, and came right to me. She remembered.
Sally was very quiet. I asked her if she was OK. She could barely talk. This was the first time for her to see Tara. "She's so little," she finally managed to saÿ, "and beautiful."
We quickly changed Tara into the new clothes we brought for her. Orphans aren't supposed to take anything with them, not even their clothes. She looked so sweet in pink.
Everyone wished us good health and happiness. The orphanage doctor kissed me on the cheek three times, as is custom. The orphanage director hugged me so tight I could hardly breathe. "God will bless your family," he said.
I scooped up Tara and said, "home" to her in Russian. We walked out, single file, Natasha, me holding Tara closely, and Sally following, smiling.
Posted by Laura at April 8, 2005 04:18 PMPosted to
HI LAURA;' WHAT A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE TO HAVE TARA TO TAKE HOME. I HAD TO READ THE MESSAGE 3 TIMES BECAUSE ITS SO EMOTIONAL i OULD NOT READ WITH ALL THE TEARS OF JOY.
CONGRATULATION MOM AND THANKS TO SALLY FOR BEING WITH YOU. ALL I CAN SAY IS JUST WONDEFUL THIS IS HAPPENING IN OUR FAMILY. THE ORPHANAGE WILL MISS HER BUT SHE WILL BE HAPPIER WITH HER MOM , DADDY AND BROTHER AUSTIN. I KNOW YOUR IN BED BY NOW
ALL OF YOU GET A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP.
lOVE TO ALL AND HUG TO TARA FROM GRANDMA JEANNE lOVE mOM
Your message makes me want to cry. I'm so happy for you guys.
Posted by: Caroline at April 8, 2005 05:34 PMI have been waiting for that post!
Mazel Tov! What a wonderful, wonderful life your little girl will have - the little girl with the face of an angel.
all the best to you, John and Tara.
Ohmigosh... you made me cry. Thanks for letting us in on that intimate moment. It's going to be amazing to watch her bloom with so much attention and love. Happy Birthday to your whole family!
xo, macon
Glad to hear everything seemed to go smooooth......
CONGRATULATIONS to the 3 of you...Laura, John and Austin.
Tara will be so happy with you as her family. You are special people. I am proud that I am related to you. You have taken a little girl with no future, and given her one...God Bless You.
Give kisses to Tara from Me...
Love, Lisa
hi--
what a wonderful post. and just like that... (snap), she is yours.
doesn't it seem like that now? wow.
hh
Posted by: heidi at April 8, 2005 10:41 PMMy throat aches while the tears push through! I feel blessed to be part of this circle of love! SHE WALKED RIGHT TO YOU -- THAT SAYS IT ALL!
Sleep well everybody! Today a whole new world began! So glad Sally could be right there to share in it.
Glad my message comes right after yours, Jeanne. I feel like I'm an extra grandma!
Love and hugs and kisses,
Ellen
I've got goosebumps! So thrilled for you John, Laura and Austin. Can't wait to meet your little angel. What a joyful journey, at last.
C-
You made our day with the good news!
Posted by: Pamela & David at April 9, 2005 02:07 PMOK, now I'M all teary eyed. What a great story!
Posted by: Lenny at April 11, 2005 11:37 AM