Amazing Care

Wednesday morning we got the chance to go back to the Gladney Foster Homes for a tour, a coffee ceremony and to meet LB's special caregiver. We were very excited to meet her because we didn't get the chance when we were visiting LB during our first trip. We did meet one of his primary caregivers, who we just loved, but not the one who was with LB since he first came to Gladney's care. I feel as though it is important to note here that LB came into Gladney's care severely malnourished, which makes what they did for him that much more meaningful to us. The gratitude I feel towards these women, who took such amazing care of him, is immense. He is now a growing, healthy and happy boy. Truly a miracle. Side-note from our first trip: On our final day of our first trip we obviously had to say goodbye to LB. We knew that would be hard. What I didn't anticipate was how hard it would me to also say goodbye to his caregivers. The caregivers that were in his room during our three visitations were such kind, warm women. We couldn't really speak through words but we did a lot of pantomiming and somehow managed to communicate. On that last day of the first trip we said goodbye to LB and then I attempted to thank the women in the room but basically could only put my hands together and say thank you. I just got so choked up and couldn't speak. How do you properly thank them for what they are doing? I walked out of the room and stood in the hallway and just sobbed into D's shoulders. One of his caregivers must have heard me crying because she came out into the hallway and gave me a hug and a kiss on each cheek. It was such a heartfelt moment and one I will never forget. Knowing that he was in such good care made it easier to leave.

Okay, back to trip 2. We got to the first foster home and LB was immediately swooped up by one of the caregivers. This was the home where LB spent his first couple of months at Gladney. Here he is posing in his very first crib. Such a big boy now!

It was funny how we ended up just leaving him there in the first home and then toured the rest of the facilities without him. D and I kept saying to each other, "I guess our kid is around here somewhere." Of course, we knew he was in good hands and that the other caregivers were getting a chance to say goodbye to him. After the tour, we went back to the first foster home for the coffee ceremony and LB was waiting for us in the arms of his special caregiver. She had dressed him in a traditional Ethiopian outfit. He looked so handsome. I was so happy to finally get the chance to hug and thank this special woman! Doesn't she look proud of him? Oh, so very sweet.

I loved that she asked us to send photos so she can see how LB continues to grow and change. I willed myself not to get too emotional and managed to thank her and hug her goodbye without drowning her in tears.

We are so thankful.