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New Day Herald

China — A Year Later

Article imageThe daily China Trip updates on the NDH web site brought back memories of our own trip to China one year ago. My husband Robert and son Eric (10) and I journeyed to China for 18 days last September to complete the adoption of Kira Fei Yun, then 3 1/2, now 4 1/2. China wants all of the families who adopt their children to get to know the country so that there is a positive association with the birth country. We visited many of the sites pictured in the China Trip daily updates.

The process has been a wonderful gift on many levels. First was learning to let go of the illusion of control — the illusion that I could be in charge of timing. Smile. There was the gift of trust, of trusting the voice in my heart that said this was part of our path. The Spiritual connection with this child — which happened before the physical connection — was a gift in awareness. There was the gift of surrender, of letting go, of accepting many aspects of this process and of circumstances — a deeper experience of acceptance than I have previously known. There was the gift of surprise — of the intensity of the maternal feelings when this child was placed in my arms. (There was no discernable difference in this experience and when they placed my son, whom I carried for 9 months, in my arms at birth.) There is the gift of love. When I realized how deeply I love this child, I had a glimpse of what was possible — of how much love there is available — of what is possible on the planet. And there has been the gift of family, of broadening and expanding and redefining that concept.

Kira has done remarkably well. I never would have guessed the adjustment would be so easy. While Kira knew no English when we met, she was repeating words and following simple instructions (“open the door”) within a week. She is now fluent, happy, clever, funny and highly spontaneous. This child is truly a blessing in our life.

If the trip to China has prompted any in the MSIA community to consider the adoption of a Chinese daughter, I would be available to answer questions and provide additional information. You can reach me at JudithAnderson@AndersonRust.com.

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