First Fridays

Going backwards through my weekend, we went to our monthly adoption support group as I call it. First Fridays is a wonderful group for those who have adopted from China as well as for anyone anywhere in the process of adopting. It was started by Dan and Susan who have adopted from China and are in the process again of adopting. It is always a great time of fun and encouragement. This week was especially touching. We had a speaker, Amy Eldridge, who is one of the founders of Love Without Boundaries. This is a volunteer organization created to improve the quality of life of Chinese orphans through various medical, nutritional and foster care, as well as education.

She mentioned several stories that really shook my way of thinking of orphaned children in China. Just as every person has their own story so goes the individualized stories of abandonment. She told of one heart breaking story while they were on a cleft repair mission. A woman came to them with her small newborn. She pleaded and cried for them to give her child the surgery. Unfortunately the baby was under the 10 pound criteria needed to ensure a safe surgery. The mother continued to beg and intercede for her child. She finally went on to confide that in 2 days her mother in law would come to the house and see the baby for the first time and demand that this child with cleft lip be taken away from the family because it would bring bad luck. Her story impressed the American that she gave her enough money to hide for a few months time until the baby put on more weight then go have the surgery. There was another about a father shedding tears over having to give up his albino son because the wife said they "could not keep him as he was". Thankfully that father was so moved by his love for his child he came to retrieve him three days later.

These children are not given up easily. It is difficult to think that I may be taking someone biological child that they want, but cannot afford, or was taken by extended family because a physical defect brands them as unlucky. But we have a commitment of giving this child a good home with lots of love. It was wonderful to hear of Amy's organization and see the level of commitment she has to orphans a world away. I was also once again happy to see my own child Alexia running around and playing so happily with so many little Chinese girls that she knows her sister will look like one day! I need to bring my camera next time because it is so cute! I am SO thankful to have this great group of people and the support that they are to us.