Dear Willow -- You have been on my mind and in my heart ever since I first saw your photograph in early November 2010. Your parents called and asked if Grandpa and I could Skype with them, and of course we said "yes!" You see, we live 2,000 miles away from you and your forever family, and sometimes Skype is how we connect with each other. Anyway . . . we were talking with them, and your dad (our son) said he had just sent an email for us to open. And there you were!
Our first glimpse of you was a total surprise as we hadn't expected to get the news of you so soon! In our hearts we loved you right away. We prayed for you daily from that moment on and for your parents as there was so much involved in them getting you from China to your new home in the USA. All along the way we received updates from your parents, and we loved you even more each time we heard about you. The wait was long - almost 7 months. Many people embraced you with prayers, gifts, cards, and always the hope that you would arrive safe and sound.
The day finally arrived - May 9, 2011 - at an orphanage in Yanji, China. Two of your nannies arrived with you in their arms, and I will never forget how sweet and fragile you appeared at that moment. Like the other babies, you were crying, and your head was bowed. The nannies said over and over to you: "Mama! Papa! Mama! Papa!" and all we could hear on the video was crying. What a huge shock that must have been to you baby girl . . . to leave the confines of a familiar place with familiar people only to be placed in the arms of two people you had never seen before. I can't imagine how scary that was for you.
Grandpa and I were at our friend, Teresa's house the day you joined your mommy and daddy. Their little girl, Gabriella, is from China too, and she watched on the computer as you were placed in your mommy's arms. It was the most moving and happy moment I have ever witnessed Willow. You were finally a reality for all of us.
As of this writing I have only been able to read about you in your mommy's blog, see photos of you there as well, and Grandpa and I have seen your little face on the computer when we Skype. Getting to see you in person was supposed to happen this week, and then Grandpa got sick just hours before our flight to California. It was such a disappointment not to get to hold you and tell you all the things I've dreamed of saying. I believe there will be another opportunity before long.
You and I have a lot of catching up to do. I love you!
Grammie
