the orphanage.............

we had a very eventful day today, and i am going to tell it out of order because i know there are some that want to hear about the orphanage, and the children they are adopting.
we did not see the kids that we thought we were to see, however, we did give their packages to the vice-director. the children we did see, in a very busy time, as there were at least four to five nannies gathered, and i did see several other children that i didn't get the impression that we should take their pictures. the two pictured, i was unable to gather any information, just too chaotic, but would be happy to share what we saw with the moms if asked. we were interrupted by an event that i don't think was planned and i will speak about in a moment because it was very important for our family.
we were at the orphanage for quite some time, and i would say that our family appreciates the time and effort that was spent to allow us to visit. we were shown the fifth floor, and told about some of the international aid that is funding some of the really cool things they are doing with these very special kids. my friends down at millwood, you guys would think this place rocks. one room has been funded to an extent where the children have a one on one nanny. they are utilizing massage, water therapy, various forms of physical therapy. i was very interested in how they were showing a little baby how to bring his hands to his mouth. it was truely awesome. we saw another room where the children were painting, another in which they were singing and dancing. one boy came out to speak with us and was interested in jeff. he was smiling and very friendly. part of his special need was probably that he was albino, and had some visual disturbances.
we were able to meet a gal named jenna from boston. she and two other very impressive ladies, were children adopted from wuhan and now living in america. jenna worked last summer to be able to fund coming to wuhan this summer and volunteering at the orphanage. the three girls, who are sixteen years old are here for a month, doing various volunteer activities. we were able to have lunch with her later, and she was a very bright, and enjoyable young lady.
we walked around the orphanage a bit, it is very big and we were told it was funded by some organization in taiwan.
we walked to where we met the children, we snapped pictures crazy, but in the same area. i was busy with that, and wasn't aware of what was starting to happen. when i brought my attention other than the children, i immediately knew that dani's foster mom had found us. i think this wasn't supposed to happen. she was very emotional, sobbing, and speaking, and looking at dani. i think there were alot of nannies yelling, but my focus became about her. i didn't know what was appropriate as from the orphanage's perspective, and all i could think was to grab her hand and hold it tight and the tears were rolling down both of our faces. she held my hand tight also, all the time looking at dani. it was a frozen moment and somebody pulled her away, and we walked up the road towards the car. later, when i asked jeff, he said she had come out and reached for dani, who was in jeff's arms. he gave dani to her, and she was able to hold her, until dani decided she wanted jeff, and reached out for him. dani remained calm.
my heart goes out to this foster-mom who raised dani for five years. my experiences of being adopted myself, have shown me that there are both sides of the story to honor.