Going Back to Say Goodbye

 
 
 
 
Today we went back to the Baby House to share goodbye's. We wanted to speak to Leah's caregivers one last time, and give them a chance to see she was doing well. These ladies are some of the caregivers we knew from our first trip. As we entered Leah's room these caregivers, with tears in their eyes told us they were so happy we came back. As we picked Leah up on Sunday, they hadn't a chance to say their goodbyes to her and were heartbroken on Monday to find she was gone.Leah was happy to see them, and the love they have for each other was evident in all eyes and actions. They again told us how Leah chose us as her parents. They retold the story of how Leah behaved when 2 other families visited her in attempt to find a child to adopt.Because Leah cried ALOT they chose other children.We will always thank God for Leah's tears on those days and future tears now will serve as a reminder. The caregivers also asked about Christopher? They remembered his smile and could see how much he loved Leah.
As they held Leah for the last time we sensed the reassurance they were giving her as they spoke and pointed to us. Their tone was calm and filled with excited happiness. Leah was being told WE ARE HER MAMA AND PAPA from the people who have loved her since her birth. We sensed she understood. After talking with us about her likes and dislikes, sleep schedules and meal times we asked one last question of them. What would you like us to tell Leah about you. After a brief silence they said "Tell her we loved her and want her to be happy".
After exchanging a few small gifts and admiring the curtains and new paint on the walls of the room it was time to go. Leah was in the play area with the other children and when we called her name to go SHE WAS READY!!Big smile,arms outstretched,confident and comfortable. No tears. A perfect ending to her time spent at the baby house. We hugged,kissed and expressed our heartfelt thanks to those who loved and cared for our daughter......