Our Visit to Xuzhou Orphanage

Sorry we were not able to post to the blog yesterday. It was a very long day. Lily was not feeling well on Tuesday and we vacillated as to whether or not we should make the long trip to the Xuzhou orphanage at all. She had not eaten anything on Tuesday and cried all day. But in the morning she seemed to be doing much better and ate a huge breakfast... two bottles, some pears, and juice. We really wanted to go and as you will see from the pictures and the following story, we are so glad we did!

We headed out about 7:30 am with a driver who spoke no English. The drive was very long but we got to see what we have been waiting to see in China-- miles and miles of beautiful agricultural fields with families out working in them. We saw rice paddies, huge oxen, and all the other images seen in the travel books. This was such a nice break from the dusty hustle-bustle of the cities.

We had Lily dressed very cutely for her visit. But, of course, she had a huge poopy accident on the way! Thank goodness we’d brought a change of clothes. We were still a bit worried we should have brought more as she had already gone through both bottles of milk and the juice we brought along.

After our 4 hour drive through the countryside, we arrived in Xuzhou. Our driver pulled over and made a phone call. We thought he was lost, but do not know for sure. About 15 minutes later a van pulled up and Ms. Tang (the orphanage director) and the interpreter got in and rode with us to the orphanage. After a few minutes we pulled through a gate to the main building. To our amazement a huge red banner was draped across the main entrance that read, “Welcome Fu Rong's family visit - Xuzhou SWI”. Pamela lost it. She was crying and Ms Tang was smiling knowing that she had surprised us. They invited us inside to “rest”.

We were ushered to a room with nice leather chairs and offered fruit and water. Staff began coming in to meet us and soon about 15 people had gathered in the room. Then, much to our surprise, a camera crew entered the room with the main orphanage director. We were told they were filming our visit for the evening news. OK, now Pam’s embarrassed because she had on a baggy pair of shorts and an old tank top! She hadn’t even done much with her hair and makeup thinking that we had a 12 hour day in the van holding a sweaty baby. What would it matter?

The cameraman began shooting video and the main orphanage director formally welcomed us with a prewritten speech. She then presented us with a beautiful piece of traditional Chinese art. Ms. Tang then presented us with Lily's first birthday outfit and her first pair of shoes. Lily's eyes really lit up when she saw her shoes! She was in her glory! All of her nanny's were in the room and took turns holding her. She was laughing and smiling; enjoying all the attention.

The news crew turned their attention to John and asked him to make a statement. It's hard to get John to show emotion, but by this time he was so choked up he could barely talk into the microphone. After a sip of water he told the reporter and the others in the room that he knows that Lily is very sick and needs medical attention and that we promise to give her the best care possible in the US. The reporter then asked Pam what she will tell Lily when she gets older about her birth country. Pam answered that she has been researching the China culture for the past two years while waiting to adopt and that Lily was born in her heart long before she ever met her. We promised to keep in touch with the orphanage and return someday with Lily to show her the country of her birth.

After the welcome ceremony we were brought back to see the children. It was so meaningful to be where Lily spent her first year of life. They brought us back to the baby room and showed us Lily's first crib. They then took us to the sleeping room where the toddlers sleep. Pam put Lily in what was her second crib. Lily gave her a perplexed look and immediately raised her hands to get out. It felt so good for Pam to be able to whisper in her ear that she would not have to spend another night here without her mommy and daddy.

Next we were brought into the toddler play room where a lot of the kids were rolling around in their little wheeled walkers. We recognized several children we’d seen in pictures, including some whose parents are waiting for their travel papers.

We tried hard to get pictures of as many of the babies as possible for all the waiting parents who read this blog. We apologize if we missed anyone, but this part of the day went very fast and was very emotional. We also felt an underlying suspicion of why we were so anxious to take pictures. (For some parents we know who are following the Yahoo blog, we have additional pictures of the children we will be sending to you directly.)

John took as many pictures as he could. He also tried to touch and talk to every baby in the two rooms. Pamela, in the meantime, was followed by the news crew and asked additional questions. In spite of that, she tried hard to let each nanny know how much we appreciate their loving work with the babies.

Suddenly Ms. Tang came in the room holding the hand of a beautiful young girl. It was Jia! Pamela has emailed and talked with her parents who will be traveling to pick her up very soon. Pamela lost it again. She leaned down and gave Jia a big hug. She told her that she was her mommy and daddy’s friend and that they are trying hard to come to China quickly and bring her home.

Jia told her that she misses her mommy and daddy very much and she wants to come to America and is waiting for them. She also told Pam that she loves the clothes that they sent to her and that she was wearing one the outfits today. All of this was captured by the news crew. Jia is so sweet and you could tell that she carefully prepared her speech in preparation for our visit.

We wish we could have spent more time with the children but they pulled us toward the door and told us that they had more in store for us.

We piled into the van with the news crew, Ms. Tang, and the interpreter. We were told we were headed to the police station to meet the officer that found Lily. Once there, the officer explained to us that it was his day off and that is why he was not in uniform. He showed us his badge and got in the van. We were off to the 4th General Hospital of Xuzhou, escorted by two police cars with flashing lights.

We got out and went into the emergency entrance. Along the wall was a blue gurney. The officer went over to the gurney and asked us to sit down with him. He told us that it was here that Lily was found alone on May 15, 2007. He thanked us for adopting her. Of course, Pam lost it again..... and thanked him for finding her.

After spending a few minutes in the hospital, we were taken to a wonderful restaurant where we were ushered into a private room where a group of the orphanage workers were waiting. They laid out a wonderful lunch for us. While we were eating, the nannies took turns playing with Lily one last time. She had so much fun.

Back at the orphanage we prepared to depart. The nannies and staff smothered Lily with hugs and kisses. At that moment we felt knots in our stomachs and lumps in our throats. Was Lily ready and willing to say goodbye…maybe forever? Would she scream with fear as she was taken from their arms?

Pam uncertainly held out her arms, tears rolling down her cheeks. Lily instantly reached out her tiny arms toward her mommy. She was ready to fall into them and go home with her new family.
The trip back to the hotel seemed so much shorter than the ride out. Lily was tired from all the commotion centered on her, and slept soundly much of the way. As we watched the long evening shadows stretching across the manicured fields, the oxen enjoying a rest and some green grass after a long day pulling the plough, and the farm families making their way down the dusty paths toward their homes, we felt many strong emotions.

Appreciation for the wonderful ceremony in our honor. Closure at having been able to see where Lily lived her first year. A better understanding of why she is how she is. Gratefulness to the nannies who took care of her so she now has the chance to get well and live a full life. Sadness at having to leave the other children in their cribs, waiting. But most of all, the incredible joy of having Lily in our lives.