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Kudos to my adoption agency for a fabulous reunion picnic on Saturday! It is an annual event that entails a lot of hard work and draws well over 2,000 people. There are multiple activities for children of all ages, food and lots of socializing. The park where it is held has a train, a carousel, mini-golf and lots of play areas that can accommodate such a huge crowd. The staff from our agency is there to greet and meet everyone in person and answer any questions or concerns.
One of the highlights for me was the surprise arrival of special guests from Guatemala. I finally got to meet the lawyer that handled Ella’s adoption. He doesn’t speak English, but he understood the gratitude I conveyed in a big hug. We took the opportunity to get a photo with him that I will pop into her life book (as soon as I get it started…).
The most wonderful surprise for most of us at the picnic was the arrival of our agency’s dear and talented coordinators from Guatemala. They are an amazing young couple who take wonderful care of each of us parents when we arrive in Guatemala to visit our babies or to pick them up. Both being completely fluent in English, they act as translators when we meet the foster mothers. They also walk us through the embassy bureaucracy as if we are taking a casual stroll in the park.
These two amazing young Guatemalans are highly educated, intelligent, tactful, amazingly patient, warm and immensely kind. They are our first connection with Guatemalans and Guatemalan culture, and what a wonderful experience they make it for all of us.
Politics always being a huge interest of mine I’ve had great conversations with A on Guatemalan politics. And even though they were surrounded by a deluge of parents and children yesterday all vying for their attention, I managed to have a quick conversation on politics with him.
Now this young couple has a beautiful baby boy who accompanied them on this trip. After seeing them unite so many of us with our little ones in Guatemala, it was pure pleasure to see them with their own child.
In addition to the excitement of these wonderful Guatemalan visitors, I find meeting so many other parents and their Guatemalan children an emotional and remarkable experience. With so much in common, the atmosphere is warm and cheerful and conversation flows easily. We discuss child rearing issues, adoption, and the horrible possibility that adoptions from Guatemala will be closed sometime in the future.
Many of the people I know are on adoption number two already. I’m tremendously excited for them, and also jealous. However, as much as I’d like little Ella to have a sister, it doesn’t look like it is in our cards.
At the end of the day Ella and I headed out with my friend P and her daughter M. I was glad I had their company on the trip. I was so sad to say good-bye to everyone, especially our Guatemalan coordinators. I also knew that it would be another year before I would see that many Guatemalan children in one place; a sight so beautiful it ultimately brings tears to my eyes.
What a great thing for an agency to do!