Gotcha Day (part 1)

Yesterday we were united with ChunMing, which is fondly referred to as "Gotcha Day" in the adoption world. It was a day to never be forgotten; full of sadness, happiness, awe, amazement, excitement, reflection, and joy.

We ate breakfast at the hotel's beautiful buffet to start out the day.


You will be disappointed to know I ate fruit and potatoes when all sorts of delicacies were available...like duckhead.

Discovering ChunMing would be late, we explored the hotel and it's immediate surroundings to kill some time.

This is the view of Hohhot looking out of our hotel window

The hotel lobby, where we first met ChunMing

Then we found some benches overlooking the front doors of the hotel lobby, so we wouldn't miss his grand entrance. We waited, and waited and waited... finally we went to our room so our guide could contact us if there was another change in plans. About 15 minutes later we received the phone call that he was here.

We met with a group of 3 individuals with the orphanage in the lobby: the secretary, the driver, and even the doctor was there. They informed us that ChunMing had gotten car sick in the car and was in the restroom with his caretaker. They let us know that he had only been in a car a handful of times in his life and isn't used to it. We were also told that he was so excited for his Babba and Mamma, that he hardly slept the night before.

A few moments later, ChunMing arrived, clearly shaken and much like a dear in headlights. His caretaker said something about his "momma and babba" and gently pushed him to us. Although his body language and face said he wanted to run, he was obedient to her command and stepped towards me to give me a hug. I felt his pain and wanted to save him from it, but couldn't. My tears started to come, so I quickly asked our guide to please let him know that his momma cries because she is so happy. Soon, his lip quivered and the floodgates opened. As much as I prepared myself for this moment, it still ripped my heart out.


ChunMing and his caretaker

It is that feeling every parent has experienced; complete helplessness. I was not the one that would give him comfort as I was the stranger. His caretaker also brokenhearted, came to his rescue. I could sense her deep love for him and her desire to also save him from this pain. These were good signs; he was obviously loved and loved in return.

My mother instincts kicked in and I looked for a distraction. The orphanage staff had brought quite a few items with them, including a box of school crafts ChunMing had made, so I called ChunMing's name and started to go through the items. He began to tell me about each piece while I made "ohh" and "ahh" sounds. It worked. His tears dried up.

While spending a few minutes with dad, the caretaker spoke with me. Even though I couldn't make out much of anything, I knew she was communicating her love for ChunMing and her pain at him leaving. With tears in her eyes, she told me that she has taken care of him for 5 years. She showed me some photos she placed in his photo book we had sent him, of her and the group she worked with, which included several boys that I was familiar with from our agency's web sight. She especially pointed out his best friend. Finally, she was able to let me know that she wanted ChunMing to keep up communication. My heart was full of gratitude that our son had been in a place of nurturing.

We had also received some school paperwork and gifts we had sent him, along with gifts and snacks the orphanage staff gave him. I asked our guide later that day if this orphanage was unusual in China. She said she only works with the ones in Inner Mongolia, but it was the best. She said the staff loves their children. She also explained that the 8 boys, ChunMing's orphanage group consisted of, all had "brain problems" as she put it. They weren't able to get out of the orphanage very much.

Some paperwork was signed, photos taken, and goodbyes said. Most the staff had left, except for one who remained. I was able to then ask some questions about his health, his history, and his schedule. We learned that his favorite food is any meat (that ought to be interesting in a family full of veggie eaters; our oldest boys excluded :). All the time, he was warming up to us. His tears were replaced by bright smiles and he was connecting. He was especially connecting to Babba and his iPhone.  (Jordan, he saw the photo of you and your little brother on your motorcycle and wants a ride :)  When the final staff member left, he took our hand and walked off to his new life.

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