Day 10: True Children's Home

Today we had the honor and privilege to travel to Dongguan to visit True Children's Home. What a blessing this organization has been to our daughter. MeiMei has been under the care of TCH since she was 6 days old. I know that surprises some of you but it is not something I could share publicly until after we had her in our arms. She lived at the foster home until November 2008 when she entered TCH foster care. She remained with the same foster family until Monday when she came to meet us in Guangzhou.

We traveled with the Eckert family whose daughter is also a TCH baby. When we arrived the nannies were playing with the children in both the younger baby home and the older baby home. They are basically apartments across the hall from each other. Several of the nannies recognized MeiMei from her time at TCH before going to foster care. One particular nanny nearly jumped us coming through the door to love her up. MeiMei did not recognize her but the nanny clearly recognized MeiMei.

We had the opportunity to tour all of the crib rooms at TCH as part of our tour. Guess which room MeiMei was in before she went to foster care? The Disney Room--how appropriate! Her crib was the one in the corner with the Disney alphabet paintings on both sides.

After we spent some time with Jenny, TCH Executive Director, and Katrina, TCH jack of all trades, learning about the organization it was time to meet the foster family. The Chief stayed at TCH along with MeiMei, Keith, Li Li and Koen while Kelly and I went across the street with Jenny to meet the foster families. We knew it was in MeiMei and Li Li's best interests to not see them again. It would be too confusing for them.

It was an awkward meeting at first. The entire family came: Mother, Father, Sister and boyfriend, Brother and girlfriend. They were so visibly sad, so heartbroken, that she is gone. They asked me repeatedly to please keep in touch and I assured them that we would. They also brought a few special snacks they know MeiMei loves along with a few other things as well. I have thought long and hard about this over the past few days and have decided the details from her foster family are her details to tell--not mine. We have decided not to share them publicly to protect her privacy.

After our meeting, Katrina took us out to a local restaurant for lunch.. MeiMei decided to flirt with the waitress and we caught a glimpse of the smile she's been hiding for five days--such a sweet noodly grin. Oh what I wouldn't give right now for her to flash one at ME! After lunch, we drove back over to TCH quickly to say goodbye to Jenny before we had to leave. I know it is bittersweet for Jenny and Katrina to say goodbye to us. It would be for me as well.

Due to Friday afternoon traffic, it was over 3 hours in the van from Dongguan to Shamian Island. We missed the tour with our travel mates and we missed our pearl market vendor as well. Once we made it back to the hotel we grabbed some dinner and collapsed for the night. There is so much more to this post but I do not have the time to journal it all right now. Suffice it to say TCH is the reason why our baby is coming home safe and healthy.

Love from China,
M