We sent an introduction letter to the organization in charge of Aida's future. We explained why we felt led to adopt her, and spoke about each of our kids. Lydia, 1 year older than Aida, adopted at an older age as well, and sensitive to others. Gwen, 1 year younger than Aida, fun-loving, always eager for a bigger family. Samuel, a teasing 7 year old, also with a serious un-fixable heart condition, with lots of support from a local cardio team. Pierre, cheerful and happy, loved where he is right now, challenged to reach for more, always accepting. Phoebe, serious and thoughtful, excited about the possibility of a new sibling. Our little "rainbow family" - Asian, black, Caucasian, black hair, brown or blonde, round or almond eyes....none of us look alike, but we are all loved, and we are all a family.
The response to us was that, yes, we would be a good family for Aida, but they had not yet decided to place her for adoption. They were still hoping her heart surgery could be done somewhere else, and then she could return to life in Africa.
So, now we wait, unsure what to do next. All paperwork is complete for the dossier.
Heading down a new path
Friday, November 4, 2011
Well, here we are. Two years after we've emphatically declared ourselves "done" and we embark on a new path.
We believe that, 8,000 miles away, a 10 year old girl waiting for a family is to be our new daughter. Aida lives in Uganda, a country with mind-boggling statistics regarding HIV/AIDS, communicable diseases, preventable diseases....the list goes on and on. 60% of homes in Uganda are child-run, as the parents have passed away. The median age is 15.
Aida had strep throat a number of months ago, which went untreated. It then became rheumatic fever, and then the virus attacked her heart. She needs all the valves in her heart replaced.
This process appears to be easier and frighteningly shorter than any of our other adoptions. It's November 4. We expect to travel in January for our court visit, and then in February to bring Aida home.
A letter to Aida is winging its way to her now, and soon we will hear if this is even a possibility for her to open her heart to us.
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