I Am Grateful

This has been a long and arduous journey which started over three years ago, and which ends tomorrow. As I went through it, especially these last 6 weeks I have spent in Kazakhstan, I was reminded of how much in my life I'm grateful for and how little things can make a world of difference in someone's life. This experience has also taught me not to take so many things for granted. So, as I prepare to leave Almaty tomorrow, I've put a list together of the things for which I am grateful:

I'm grateful for . . . . . .

1. A smile. I did not receive many in this country, and it made me realize how one little teeny one can mean so much!

2. For the lessons I have learned in patience and flexibility, without which I would not have made it over here.

3. For little comforts such as high chairs, cribs, rocking chairs and a kitchen, none of which was available to me. I washed the baby's bottles in the bathroom sink twice a day, with the brown scalding water that came out of the pipes.

4. For a washer and a dryer, which would have made my life so much easier and prevented me from having to wash much of my clothing and Sofia's in the bathroom sink on a daily basis, to then hang them in an improvised line.

5. For cold drinks and ice -- when you get lukewarm coca-cola and water when it's 95 degrees out, it really doesn't quench your thirst!! And for treated water in America coming out of our pipes! Everyday I had to remember to buy mineral water to drink and brush teeth, and wash my face.

6. For window screens which keep bugs out. Here I found bees, giant horse flies, and beetles in my room, including my bed.

7. For air-conditioning, especially on days which are stifling and humid.

8. For a dark room to sleep in at night. For 40 nights while in Kostanai the sun shone every night until about 10 pm, and it didn't darken until about 11, only to have the skies lighten up again about 3:30 am. Hotels there haven't understood the importance of darkness for peaceful sleep, so their curtains are very sheer and of light color. It wasn't until last Friday, while in Almaty, that Sofia and I slept in a darker room and it was such a relief. It really rests the mind.

9. I am grateful that in America we have standards for smooth sidewalks, ramps for the handicapped, and steps which must follow a code. I have struggled immensely (especially with a sore foot) with uneven, bumpy, and crummy sidewalks; with steps which are completely uneven in height and width, and with stairs, which one finds everywhere you go. I have had to carry baby, stroller and groceries up and down steps countless times, every day, everywhere. Kazakhstan's handicapped and mothers with strollers definitely do not have a welcoming place in this part of the world!

10. For Mike, my husband. Without his perseverance, love and support, and intense heartfelt desire to make this work, I would have given up a long time ago. I am grateful for his hardworking skills, and for his ability to provide a great life for my family. And I am grateful for my children, who are the light of my life!!

11. For all the Lawrences, Eberts, Rey-Talleys, Amber and Diane, Judy, Donna Todd, Vovo and Uncle Jacques, Auntie Renee and Sophie, the Berumens and Ceruttis, and all our friends, acquaintances and extended family who have been there for us, in support and with your love. I am also especially grateful for all of you who continuously sent me email messages pushing me along and sending your love, and making me realize that I can do this, even when I didn't think I could.

12. For the other adoptive parents whom I've come in contact with in this country and who have in little ways made it easier for me: the Georges, who have been so supportive, for Sandy and her mom Helen, for Reid and Lori, and for Dessie and Scott.

13. I am grateful for Kazakhstan, for the way it struggles as it grows and survives in a tough world. I am especially grateful for allowing me to take one of its daughters home, and trusting me completely with her care.

14. I am grateful for Baha, our coordinator, who sacrificed her quality of life with her 4-year old twins and husband in Almaty to help us pursue our precious child, and organized our life for us in Kostanai. I am also grateful for Valentin, our translator, who is very smart, capable, and was so very patient with us, even when during a Sunday my boy had to be taken to the hospital and Valentin had to spend hours with us dealing with that. I pray that his dream of working as a chemist comes true. He just graduated from the Universiy of Kostanai with a degree in Chemistry, at 22 years of age. His work ethic is phenomenal, as he worked full time as a translator, studied full time, and took private lessons in English to perfect his language skills.

15. I am grateful for America, and for everything it stands for. For the opportunities we have, and the ability to do pretty much anything we want. I am grateful for the comfortable lives it provides us.

16. I am grateful for Sofia's mother, Olga (and all mothers who give up their children), who have allowed our family to grow. It's sad and ironic that her sadness and pain in giving up her child meant our happiness and fulfillment as we complete our family. As I looked through the Embassy papers last night, one of the pages included in the envelope was a one-page handwritten letter of relinquishment from Olga. As I looked at that letter, with tears streaming down my face, my soul could not comprehend the pain of giving up one's child. I pray that her heart is still and peaceful and that she senses that Sofia is well taken care of.

17. I am grateful for Director Brent Yoder and Joyce Thompson of Adoption Options, Inc., our adoption agency in San Diego, and for Frank Foundation, the affiliate. They are pros at what they do, and have been with us every step of the way in a supportive and caring manner. When we had issues in Kazakhstan which needed to be addressed ASAP, we were able to count on Brent and his staff 100% to have those issues addressed and taken care of.

We are also grateful for Director Ron Stoddard and Social Worker Rhonda Jarema of Nightlight Christian Adoption Agency of Fullerton, California. They worked so very hard with us in preparing our Homestudy, International Dossier, and everything in between and afterwards. These are all people who are caring and loving, and we appreciate them very much!!

Finally, I am grateful for my Heavenly Father. He has been there for me, and has kept me and Sofia safe. He has guided my steps in many different ways, has embraced me and Sofia lovingly, and has helped make this journey possible.

We did not go to the mountains today, because it is cold and rainy. Tomorrow morning we are off to Los Angeles, and here I sign off. I will post again once we are settled in.
Das SveeDahnYah for now!! Goodbye for now!!