Xuzhou Delegates Visit US

Last week Anna and I, along with two other families had the rare opportunity to meet with 5 delegates from Xuzhou in San Jose. There were three representatives from Anna's and Lily's orphanage and two city government officials touring the United States and Canada.

BAAS hosted a luncheon where the families were able to share with the orphanage officials how well the children are adjusting in their new families. The officials gave the families additional documents that were not included in the adoption paperwork. We were given the original police report on Anna's finding day including the name of man who found her and what she was wearing when she was found. It was a sobering reminder of her sad beginnings and another piece of the puzzle that we now have to help us understand her story.

Anna responded very warmly to Tang Mei, the young women who was Lily's main caregiver and the orphanage translator. She also ran and sat in the director’s lap. We had not had any prior contact with the San Francisco family that attended and were delighted to learn that Anna was obviously bonded to their daughter. Almost instantly they were hugging and laughing and rolling around on the floor. It warmed my heart to meet another Xuzhou child that shared her past with our two daughters.