Saturday, November 17, 2007

Gwongzau, Joi Gin - Goodbye Guangzhou

We can hardly believe yesterday was our last day in China. When we left home, two and a half weeks seemed like an eternity, and now it is over. We will leave China with such mixed emotions. We've had an absolutely fantastic and eye-opening trip. We also look forward to getting home. Thanks to all who have been following our transformation to a family of four.

More landmark experiences lie ahead, starting this coming morning with Hannah Dong En's first ride on an airplane … actually her first three rides. (Yikes!) We hope they go as smoothly as possible.

Hannah Dong En has had so much to adjust to, we haven't talked to her about going to the U.S., living in a new home (besides this hotel), etc. (only that we will always be her mama, baba and gohgo and always take care of her). Who knows how anxious or prematurely excited so could become? One step at a time, the first one being that flight home.

So yesterday evening, at supper, Jay said in English that he had announcement to make. Then in Cantonese he told Dong En simply that tomorrow we would ride on an airplane. We didn't know what to expect. Blank stare? Anxiety? Would she not understand "tomorrow" and try to climb down off the chair, thinking we were going right then? Well, she opened her eyes and mouth wide in surprise, looked at Baba, looked at Mama, looked at Benjamin. She could hardly believe it. We nodded and said it was so. She beamed. A little later she moved her folded napkin through the air in a straight line saying "fei gei" — airplane. We can only hope she feels a small fraction of that joy after 12 hours in coach on a 747.

Once we are back and more rested, we hope to write some of the stories we didn't have time to tell, and post some of the good pictures we didn't have time to share. We also hope to tell about Hannah Dong En's reaction and adjustment to her new country, her new home, and her new extended family and friends.

We can't wait for our family and friends to meet Hannah Dong En. She has already brought a lot of joy into our lives and I'm sure she will do the same for you.

Jay, Rebecca, Benjamin, and Hannah Dong En.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for sharing the photos and stories. I really enjoyed reading about what was going on and following the process. Raul and I cannot wait to meet Hannah and of course we also adore Ben but you knew that - loved the story about the handsome seafood.

Lisa Kritske