The kids are beaming in their beds right now. We had been reading a book I give moms of graduating seniors. It talks about all the "lasts" we forget to treasure as our little ones grow up: the last time they asked to be held, their last mid-day nap, their last soccer goal, etc. I was sharing with Pierre and Ange-Laurette how much I would have loved to see them crawl to me...or to hold them for hours as they ate as a newborn...or to see them learn to walk! I said that their own birthmothers did such a wonderful job with them, we can tell!
We talked about how to honor Pierre and Ange-Laurette's birthmothers again this Mother's Day. Last year, we had written notes to put in helium balloons. Then after praying praise to God for the whole adoption process and the gift these two women gave to our familiy, we released the balloons on Mother's Day. They really want to do that again this year.
We decided that, even though we didn't have any good way to communicate with their families in Haiti, we should try to call. Both kids have lost all of their Creole for now. They cannot remember any key phrases, and they for sure do not understand native speakers...at their speed and accent. Ange-Laurette has only had the one call last spring with her birthmother. The conversation was short, and Ange-Laurette has not wanted to call again since. Tonight, we didn't give her a choice...and we are SO glad!
I dialed the cell phone number I had for her birthmother. The minute she heard Ange-Laurette say her name, she squealed with delight. She kept repeating her name and asking if she was ok. They were only able to exchange the few basics that Bruce and I learned for our trip to Haiti: "How are you? I miss you. I love you. I am very fine." Then, I tried to thank her again and tell her how much we love Ange-Laurette...how beautiful she is. Her birthmother said that she had received the photobook we had delivered to Haiti. (Luckily that is easy enough to understand since "fotos" is "photos" :) Her voice was strong and full of joy. She had a short chuckle like Ange-Laurette has, and they did so at the same time when Ange-Laurette asked "pale angle?" (do you speak English?)...and her birthmother gave a definitive "no." After the phone call, Ange-Laurette danced throughout the house and ran to tell Pierre about it. They jumped up and down, repeating each word.
(talking with Pierre's birthmother our first visit - March 2009)Pierre, too, was able to connect with an older brother who speaks a few things in English. His birthmother was there and talked with him briefly. She had received her photo book also and thanked us over and over. Pierre was not as frustrated this time, trying to communicate. He just said what he wanted to in English and persisted as if they understood. His eyes sparkled in a way that is hard to explain. But it was the PERFECT Mother's Day gift to me as well.
Just to know my kids know who they are. To see them feel so loved. To watch their whole bodies fill with pure joy. To see God's hand in it all....again, for this moment in time.
So many busy days I overlook the many little miracles it took for these two children to be safe and sound in their warm beds tonight. I underestimate their deep attachment to two other women a world away. I forget the importance of keeping them connected, if even for a 3 minute phonecall a few times a year. I am so grateful for the love they had for their children, and the privilege to provide them with the life they so desired for them! It's a HAPPY Mother's Day in Port-au-Prince...and here in South Dakota.
