** Adoption countdown: 8 days until Pam, Terry and Matthew return home **
ZHENGZHOU, China (Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, 9:30 a.m.) – As Pam and I rode from the Zhengzhou airport to our hotel on Tuesday, a couple of hours before we met our son, our adoption escort handed us a gift bag.
Inside was a book, a thick diary that detailed Matthew Wu Di’s life the past year at Amazing Hands Children’s Home in Beijing where he had been living since receiving treatment for his club foot.
The diary is packed with stories written in Mandarin and translated in English. It includes photos of his days at the orphanage, of Christmas 2007 and of trips to the park.
We looked through the diary before we met our son. It gave us a better idea about who he is and how he ended up in Beijing; he obviously received a lot of love, care and attention at the home.
One thing got to me in particular – and I want to share it with everyone following our blog and adoption journey. I hope you take a minute to read the complete text of a letter the ayis (aunts) at Amazing Hands wrote to Matthew and included near the end of the diary.
Dear Wudi,
Knowing that you will soon be united with your family, all of the ayis are so happy for you! Even though we are reluctant to let you go, we know that you belong with your forever family. You have a mom, dad and sister. They love you very much and will take wonderful care of you and cherish you. You are an adorable, kind, gentle, upright, determined child. We are all so proud of you! Even though you are leaving a familiar surrounding, you may not feel secure right away, but you will soon adjust because your mom and dad love you. You can trust and rely on them. They will be with you forever.
Indeed we love you and will miss you very much. We will miss your hearty laughter and your big bright eyes. We will miss your simple and gentle demeanor, and will also remember the strong, unyielding expression on your face! We will miss listening to your “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and watching you try to make a “diamond” with your little hands. You are so wonderful and cute! The ayis will pray for you. We pray that our true, benevolent, loving God will keep you and guide you all the days of your life. We hope that you will grow up to be a righteous, kind, Godly and compassionate person. Share your love with those around you. Wudi, thank you for letting the ayis be by your side during this precious time of your life. It has been our blessing and privilege. Blessings to you and your family!
We love you …
All of the ayis at Amazing Hands
December 5, 2008
Copyright 2008 by Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.
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