For a Daniel

What would a mother do for a little boy named Daniel? What wouldn’t two mothers do for a little boy named Daniel? This story is one of tragedy and one of hope. One of loss and one of promise. It’s not an easy story to tell… there is more than meets the eye. I will tell you what I can.

My first installment is in photos.

I don’t remember how long the flight halfway around the world was, but it was long.

The three travelers in the mirror of a tiny European elevator in Sofia, Bulgaria.

We met other travelers while abroad! Two kind Kenyan missionary nuns (who speak English!) greeted us and helped us mail letters to the birth families of two other adopted children.

Another 8 hours traveling to the east border – the city of Varna on the Black Sea. Driving like… like Marty. On straight stretches we were going 100 mph (160km/h)

Varna at last! With enough luggage in tow for four people for two weeks!

Into the orphanage with my second born held tight.

We learned that Daniel’s mother WAS THERE! Here we have just a little more waiting outside the director’s office.

The first meeting. The only sounds were background voices and tears.

Two mothers. One embrace. One experiencing loss. No… two experiencing loss.

Bound together in love. Both of us choosing to believe hope.

The story here grows too long for pictures or even words. Daniel’s mother loves him deeply. She wants what is best for him. Everybody, everybody tells her he is better off in the orphanage and that she cannot care for him. The loss is keen and the story is tragic. Her bravery is a bright light and her love is fire. It is not good that we live half a world away and that we two mothers cannot be with each other with our boy.

She gave me gifts beyond value. Newborn photos. And a figuring showing a man (“your husband”), a woman (“you”) and a little child (“Daniel”) in an embrace wrapped by angel wings. She gives us her blessing. And now my tears are flowing again.

Gifts.

She spoke much… I have video for Daniel later. He played a loud toy she gave him during our talk, but that is okay. She had to hand me Daniel after we got to the car. And I prayed a blessing on her, though the words were short. I had no words. I gave her our email address and some photos of our family. I gave her the promise that he is still loved and that someday I’ll bring him to visit when he is older.

It was beautiful and hard.

Daniel bears the wounds of orphanage life. He is small. his lips are cracked and peeling. He does not trust. He is smart, curious, determined, playful, delighted by small things. He is tired, scared, and away from all things familiar.

He will not eat or drink for us yet. Please pray.

While we were in the building, we learned that this is the first time ever that a birth mother has met the adoptive family during the pick up trip. Usually, it is something done not at all or after the adoption has been complete and the family is home via the internet. What a gift to be able to see and hold and cry with Daniel’s first mother.

Here they are watching a video of Jordan playing in the river.

Maggie understood what was happening with that keenly perceiving heart of hers.

Lunch break on the swings with Maggie

Lunch break – Daniel fought being held and we let him scoot around on the concrete. First taste of freedom. First taste of the sun.

In our apartment at last. A rest from travels. And look! He can bear weight on those crooked little feet!