Happy Holidays

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Frost_(fairy_tale)
With any luck, next year at this time we will be preparing for the arrival of Father Frost. I wish everyone the happiest of holidays and a wonder-filled new year!

Kindness of "Strangers"

Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness. - Seneca, Roman Philosopher

Grateful

I am deeply touched by all of your kind words in response to my post about my grandmother. I was amazed by the comments and emails that I received. I am so fortunate that I was able to visit my grandmother while she is still lucid. I was able to tell her how grateful I am to her and how much I love her. As I was driving home I felt such a sense of peace because I was able to tell her everything that I felt.

I am often amazed by the kindness and generosity of people I have met through blogs and message boards. I recently solicited some advice from people I know online and I received the most speedy, heartfelt, thoughtful and helpful replies. Adoption can be isolating in that it isn't the common way that families are built. Having this community makes me feel less isolated in this journey that is so difficult (yet exciting!) to make. Thank you so much!

Three Cheers for Mr. Hershey

Snacktime at our house

Luca: "Who made the chocolate?"
Me: "Hershey's."
Luca: "Well, he's my guy."

A Tribute to my Grandmother

Tomorrow I will go say good-bye to my grandmother. She has been diagnosed with cancer and has a very short time to live.

She has spent most of her life nurturing people and places before psychologists made a big deal out of nurturing. She is mother to 9 children, dozens of grandchildren and a handful of great grandchildren - "Saskia" will soon join this generation. I am sad that she will not know her because she is an amazing person. I have been thinking about making the trip to Indiana for the holidays next year and introducing my grandmother to her new great-granddaughter.

When I was with my grandmother, I felt like I mattered. I sat on a high stool in the kitchen while she cooked endless meals. We played Yahtzee together . . . I even watched soaps with her! She always included me in whatever she was doing and she made me feel loved. This attention, this love has given me the strength to persevere and live through difficult times. These were simple, everyday actions that made a huge difference in my life. I am grateful to her for just being there . . . I am so very fortunate to be her granddaughter.

Where in the world is "Saskia"

The wheel of fate is spinning - round and round it goes . . . where it stops, nobody knows. Saskia may have been born today or yesterday or tomorrow. Where is she? Currently, our agency works in:

• Akol
• Almaty
• Astana
• Essik
• Koksheteau
• Petropavlovsk
• Karaganda
• Stepnogorsk
• Tshchuchinsk
• Taldy Korgan
• Taraz
• Uralsk

So, at least we have her location (or location-to-be) narrowed down a bit. Where did you (or will you) go to meet your little one? If you have already been there, what is it like?

P.S. I want to draw your attention to the "Packing Checklist" link under "Resources" on the right. This "mother of all packing lists" was provided by and approved for posting by Jennifer. Thanks! Now I can shop . . . and shop . . . and . . . . . . shop.