May 18 - the story

It’s been very busy and rather chaotic.  Here finally are some notes about the last couple of days, and a mix of pictures.  Hope you enjoy them. [The pictures will be in following posts - There are 29 of them! ...  Birrell]

Sunday night
Weather in Guangzhou has been hot and humid, but not too rainy.  Everyone has been outside a lot.  All the stores around here cater to adopting families, lots of baby/little kid shoes, outfits, 50% off laundry, etc.  Very friendly, talkative shop staff.  They all have names like “Sherry’s Place” with a young salesperson named Nancy who really wants to go to college and would love to come to the United States.  She’s working and trying to save money, and studies English every day.  “Emma’s Place” proprietor’s name is Sherry, a middle aged woman who grew up in Chengdu.  Her daughter, Emma, a young teenager, helped to translate for Nancy).  Another one Sarah, from Hubei, works for her aunt’s store, which provides her with a place to live (sounds like a small apartment she shares with another girl).  She told lots of stories about her aunt’s several dogs, and the local cats which catch mice (lots of mice, she says) and roam around on their own, though people feed them occasionally.  Sarah talked about being 24, not wanting to get married yet.  She likes the city life.  If she stayed in the countryside, her family wants her to get married and have children as soon as possible.  Many of the young women seem to have stories like this. 

A big party, supper at Lucy’s, with everyone from our group there, to celebrate the children, and to thank Dr. Jerry who has been so resourceful, helpful, cheerful and supportive.  Also to thank Kevin, our group leader who has been so kind.  Everyone chipped in to buy gifts, and we found a lovely blanket for Kevin’s little girl, and a pink tie with pandas on it for Kevin.  He wears a lot of pink, matching his tiny daughter!  Each of them stood up to thank us for thanking them … Dr. Jerry was a little teary – he so appreciates these families who are taking care of their new babies, with love and kindness and resources.  He spoke a bit of what he sees with the children in Haiti (he works with a pediatric clinic there), who have none of this kind of support.  Perhaps we can pray for them, and might see if there’s a way to make contributions to them.  (Nancy will check on this.)

At night in the park, there are many many people with dogs of all kinds – from a young husky to golden retriever to many kinds of small dogs.  You don’t see them during the day.  Shopkeepers seem to like to talk a lot, tell their stories.  The hotels across the river, and the river boats all have music and bright moving neon lights making patterns and pictures – it’s very stimulating visually and very noisy.

Cher, Nadine and Alyssa had a wonderful playtime, with dancing, tumbling, games with the toys Cher brought … like a party!

Monday
Alyssa is starting to know her new name, and is happier all the time.  This morning she’s off to get her TB test read, as that’s needed for the visa.  She’s very interactive with other children; it’s nice to see that social confidence.  Dr. Jerry left today – we miss him. 

Today Alyssa had her first swimming experience, splashing in the kiddie pool, playing with an inflated fish pool toy.  A couple of little girls were there with their fathers, and they shared their ball with her.  She enjoyed the water a lot. 

Dinner at Lucy’s again tonight, with a short stop at Michael’s store again to look for bubbles which she loves.  They don’t sell them, but Michael said they make their own bubbles for children from soap, and he took the bubble container and mixed some up on the spot.  He is so kind!  He said to come back whenever we needed more. 

Alyssa fell asleep very quickly and without a fuss on Cher’s bed – hurray!  Everyone was asleep early tonight.

Tuesday
She slept 10 hours!  This morning more shopping – we went to “Michael’s Place” again today … he is getting a lot of business from us!  At “Emma’s Place” and Cheryl bought five pairs of shoes for her little girl.  (The ones she brought were too small, so will give them to another family.)  This girl will have more shoes than anyone! 

Alyssa is happier every day.  She talks a lot to Cher and Nadine, and is listening and attending better and better.  She talked a bit with her grandfather on the phone.  She has a cheerful, curious nature, and is meticulous about folding things and putting her toys away correctly.  She likes to help, and once Cher can establish a regular routine, she will learn fast.

We planned to take Alyssa to swim again today, but there is a big thunderstorm, very loud, brilliant lightning and very heavy rain.  We did a little short walk, and Nancy and Cheryl each got a musical wind instrument something like a recorder but which has two drones as well; we’ll see how well we can learn to play them.

Dinner cruise tonight – took a bus from the hotel to the dock.  Alyssa looked very pretty in her new dress.  It was very hot in the cabin, with several groups on the same deck with us.  Very nice outside in the air, and the scenery from the boat was dramatic – flashing lights on tall buildings, other boats with bright lights constantly changing colors.  They had a magician who did some tricks after dinner.  The highlight was a birthday celebration for Cheryl and Kevin, even though it wasn’t really either one’s birthday.  They had a cheesecake with candles, with the happy birthday song of course.  It was a lot of activity, and we’re glad to be back, not in a moving vehicle.

Tomorrow will be the final paperwork and “oath” for Alyssa’s adoption and emigration; and the famous red couch picture with all the kids and parents.