Today, Jo (Nina’s grandmother) picked the girls up from my house. We have quite a system going and the girls are staying up into the wee hours of the morning. Nina is ready to jump out of bed and is usually playing games on her phone but Natasha is sacked out catching every last moment of sleep she can before Jo arrives. I’m glad she is off the Tylenol because she now seems more like herself again although she is complaining of headaches. We can’t determine if it is more dental work needed or if it is just the Ohio Valley allergies which affect many children and adults. But she continues to power through her headaches so she can play with all the kids.
I met Jo over at the family of Jay and Pam Best. They adopted three siblings from the Ukraine (Sophie, Julia and Andrew) about four years ago. It is amazing to see their pictures when they first arrived versus now. They are strong and vibrant children who love their family and have easily adapted into our culture. Jay mentioned in the beginning that when he would have an issue that was important and needed to be resolved he would take them over to the food store on Taylorsville Rd where the owners spoke Russian. After meeting them I can see how helpful they are and how they can “drive the message home” when you need to be serious with the children. They are loving and giving people and I am so glad I met them.
The girls were downstairs all afternoon learning to play the Wii with a cooking class on making truffles and it was fun to watch them catch on so quickly. They were content for hours as the adults stayed upstairs and enjoyed coffee and chocolate and key lime pie.
I’m not sure who enjoyed the afternoon the most (them or me.)
I took the girls home and we (I mean they) finished up the last can of sardines as I tried to at least stay at the table and not look as green as I did the day before. They love the sausages and cheeses that reminded them of their home country. I have to admit it was fun watching them and knowing how much I would miss the food of our country if I was away. They still continue to talk in Ukrainian and so I am missing most of the conversation but I am picking up a few words here and there.
They ended the night where they always do. The big king size bed with their cell phones plugged into their chargers and playing games for hours. Bowls of popcorn, sprite, chocolate, dry ramen noodles, gummy bears, oranges and off to “movie night” they go with their videos. I can only say I have a whole new appreciation for single moms and trying to work and keep home and hearth running at the same time. I have never been so exhausted and so content all in the same day.
Natasha is struggling with going back (as am I) and although I keep my emotions to myself, anytime the topic of the orphanage comes up she turns to fire and ice. Her head goes down, her eyes start to glaze and she keeps her emotions in check. Her fiery look of defiance as her survivor mode kicks in and ice because she refuses to shed a tear. She turns into the girl I met at the airport who was angry and the Russian glare comes back into her face and her body stiffens.
A little girl from Maryland calls tonight that was one of Natasha’s class mates from the orphanage and was adopted last year. Maggie has sent her the blog and her mother was able to get in touch with me to set up the evening phone call. That lightens up the mood a bit and I am grateful. Seeing her smile is priceless indeed…