Adoption 

Somewhere in the middle of May, I went to a macadamia nut farm with a few of the interns and one of the psychologists, the day you might’ve read about in an earlier blog post. We were enjoying lunch there together, when the psychologist excused herself to answer the phone at the table. The rest of us noticed it was an important, emotion-filled phone call from the expressions and reactions of the psychologist. Using phrases such as “I’ve been working with her all week!” and “this is so exciting! Are you sure?!”, once I heard the name of the child, I was able to connect the dots and knew exactly what conversation was being had. I was almost teary-eyed even before she hung up the phone. Without taking a breath after the call, she exclaimed “Abi tenía una familia!” Abi has a family! Abi is one that has been at the orphanage since she was 3 months old, without any biological family members to care for her. She is one of few in our orphanage that is (or was) available for adoption. This is the only home she’s known and the friendships she’s built for most of her life, changing only as kids come to and leave the orphanage. She’s never known the blessing of a mother, father, siblings, or a regular family household.

We found out on a Friday, and she was to leave 10 days later, that following Tuesday. Of course, we were some of the first to find out, not being able to share with anyone, including other Casa Shalom staff, sponsors, the current team visiting, and not even Abi herself. It was such a joy filled afternoon, that I just wished I could share with the world the miracle that will take place over the next week and a half.

Now that almost a month has passed since the phone call, it is safe to share that Abi is now with her adopted family: a mother, father, and 3 siblings. Yes, it was difficult to watch her fight the emotions of being ecstatic to having her own family, while also being taken from her only home. I got to witness the emotions leading up to meeting her parents for the first time, the Thursday before the departure. I’m not sure if she had more nerves before the initial greeting, or if I had more tears in my eyes while watching it happen.

Abi and her psychologist were together most of the week, preparing for the send-off, sharing emotions, and working towards an easy transition out of her home for the past 9 years. I got to help them with horse therapy a few times over the course of the week and watched her get more comfortable walking alongside the horse and riding it. It helped build confidence and trust that she needed while meeting her family.

The few hours I got to share with her and her parents were so special to me. I’m not sure how to put it into words. If I haven’t mentioned this earlier, watching a young woman meet her parents for the first time is emotional, let me tell ya! I was to be there when they first met to get a few photos. There I was seated at the desk, Abi shaking behind me, so nervous, not knowing what to expect. They were walking into the office as Abi was still crouched between the desk and me. I was able to put my arm around her, rub her back, and gave her a hug big enough to gain the confidence to walk out to greet her new mom and dad.

They made eye contact and immediately walk towards each other with open arms. Wrapped in one another’s hug, my eyes were blurred out a bit from all my tears- I was happy to at least get one or two good photos. It was an afternoon for them to get to know each other. They played games, made crafts, and were talking together for most of the time, quickly building a family. I can’t express the emotions I felt over the course of 3 hours, watching an orphan become a daughter, but also giving away one of our longest Casa Shalom residents.

I’ve watched Abi as a preschooler on one of my first visits to Casa Shalom, and I’ve had the pleasure to work with her and get to know her a little better over these past 2 months, seeing the growth, transformation and maturity built over several years. This is not a “good-bye”, its a “see you later.” I’m sure she will be back to visit the orphanage, and the psychologist is going to keep up with her through the transition. Maybe I can go along and visit her sometime!?