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Loading ...Archive for December, 2008
O Tannenbaum
I have classy friends. And often when I visit their homes during the holidays, they explain the themes of their Christmas trees. “Angels we’ve collected on our travels.” “Everything in purple.” “Antique snowmen.” “The children’s tree has unbreakable ornaments, while the tree in the front room shimmers in Waterford crystal snowflakes.”
Sigh.
Our tree is done in Woodworth. From the lighted Tinkerbell topper (thanks, Sharon!) down to the lovely hand-made tree skirt (thanks, Jean!) – our tree is just us. Sunday School crafts. Sciene Fair and volleyball ribbons. Pictures. Classroom gifts. Sparkly package decorations. A small stocking my grandmother made me.
Hannah, Lois and Rachel are tall enough now that Tinkerbell barely peeks over.
I asked the girls what they liked best on the tree this year. The answers were as different as they are. When Julia came home in 2006, we hurriedly and heavily salted the tree with her crafts and photos. I with I had toddler pictures of her with Santa – but at least, thanks to Irena (see below) – we do have some earlier pictures of her now.
We were off to the River Walk tonight, where we stopped in front of this school-themed tree…..
….before scarfing up flavored ice. Julia warned me, “Mom, don’t eat the yellow snow.” Spoken like a true native of St. Pete.
We circled a gorgeous tree during our boat ride. Downtown San Antonio is just beautiful at Christmas. You walk right by the Alamo to get to the River Walk, which leads into the mall. Which leads to the debit card being whipped out way too often.
A Christmas tree seemed to be the only thing missing from inside Rachel’s purse as she emptied it at Starbucks, in search of the perfect lip gloss. Two full-sized colognes, a smaller cologne, a full-sized water bottle, wallet, make-up bag, copy of “Twilight,” Zen mp3 player, Blackberry…..what, no garland? No tinsel? She is turning into my sister Judy, who basically lugs a small suitcase as her purse. Great arm strengthener, I guess….
We’ve seen plenty of lovely trees this season, but none for which I’d trade ours. Because while it may not be a work of art, it’s a work of the heart. And it’s already got plenty of prize ribbons.
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A God Wink?
When Keith and I entered the world of international adoption, we immediately joined scores of user groups, our favorite being the Russian Adoption board on adoption.com. At the American Embassy in Moscow, we surprisingly recognized and joyfully visited with another family from that board.
Monday, “Irina” – a mom and social worker in St. Petersburg – posted a general “I lurk here” kind of message. Being polite, I was one of several who posted a “nice to meet you” return message. My board signature always contains a link to this blog.
I thought no more of it.
Tuesday, I had a Private Message from Irina in my adoption.com inbox. In a city with 10,000 children living in 100 orphanages, Irina had visited Children’s Home #47 and recognized Julia from the photos of this blog! Here’s part of her private message: “I came to them in 47 DD and saw Julia very small! I have its some photos – if want, I can send you them on an e-mail!”
If want….IF WANT??? I picked up my jaw and shared my real email address immediately. Within hours, pictures popped in my email inbox.
Julia’s the cutie in the orange dress. I’m guessing she’s age four or five here. The children are standing in a common area between the school/play room and the dorm. We dressed Julia right here before we took her hands and walked out of Children’s Home #47. In retrospect, I marvel at the courage she displayed. I’ve lived six times as long and have never displayed half as much courage as she showed walking away from everyone and everything she knew.
I’m guessing she’s age four here, which is when she came to Children’s Home #47. Can you hug a picture? Can you fold a blanket around it and promise to love it until the day you die? I long to do so.
Russian Orthodox baptism via kitchen pan at age five. We knew a priest visited monthly. Julia remembers our lighting candles in Moscow’s Kazan Cathedral. I think the priest either brought candles to light, or she had visited a church at some point earlier, because she knew to drip wax on the base, then insert the candle. (I sure didn’t know it!)
Keith and I are thrilled to have these bits of her past to share in the future.
The web surfer in me says, “Oh, what a wonderful coincidence – that Irina would make the leap from a user board posting to sending us these pictures.”
The business person in me says, “Wow. Here proves the value of social networking.”
But the real me – the “me” that’s buried way down deep – knows it was what my friend Johnnie calls “a God wink.”
He loves the little children, you know. All the children of the world.
Welcome to the Elf Club
Come right on in. It’s the holidays, doncha know?
Of course it’s in black and white….and old-fashioned Christmas, as it were….
