One of the most amazing afternoons. I have never witnessed anything like this. I was asked recently what my top three days ever were. I couldn’t come up with a list. I have done more than my share of amazing things. But nothing like this.
TWO GROUPS
Our group is really two groups. Which means girls were coming from two orphanages. One was 2 hours away, the other 5. So the girls arrived at different times.
The first group was to arrive at 330p. Brad, Joia, and I were there for moral support (and the play camera people). 5 girls were in the first group. Some were first time parents. Some had children of their own. Some had adopted from China before.
I was the official cameraman for a couple who had no children yet. As the husband was trying to explain how to turn the camera on he could barely speak.
Another woman turned to me and said, “My brother is here. My aunt and uncle are here. I wish my husband was here for this.”
As we were waiting for the girls, our guide explained the food they are use to, how to make it, how to dress them here, and how to avoid the Chinese Grandmother Police (any grandmother will walk up to you and dress or undress your child to fit the temperature if you are not doing it right).
Then the girls arrive.
And so did the tears. I didn’t even try to wipe them, I was on the job with the camera.
One at a time each couple was brought up and introduced to their daughter. A process that took 18 month (and for some years of frustration).
Tears and more tears.
At 530p group two gathered. This group is much larger. 9 girls in total. One by one names were called.
More smiles. More tears.
Brad and Joia were third. After a few pictures Ava just buried her head in to daddy’s chest for safety. 20 minutes later she was hungrily drinking from a bottle.
From time to time we get to see friends or family grown. I saw it 14 times. Just today. In one room.
TRANSFORMATION
If you took a picture of any of the new parents from our group at 9am and 7pm today, they would look exactly the same. The four kids who are traveling with our group the same.
But they are different. Completely different. In a moment their lives were changed forever. For about half the group this is their first child. They are now parents.
It was fun to watch the three first time older siblings. Kissing their little sister on the face. Nussling up. Doing anything they can to help mom and dad.
This transformation isn’t going to always be easy or always be fun. But they are new people, in an exciting scary way.
Ava and dad:
Lots of babies:
More photos (and Brad and Joia’s thoughts on day one) here. (If they are not there yet, they will be soon.)