Coming home

What a joyful, joyful moment in our lives, to be welcoming our son home! We are savoring every breath, every smile, every hug, every "I love you." It is a truly extraordinary experience to meet a child in another country, and to somehow, instantly, know him as if he had always been part of us. It defies reason, yet it is there, that depth of love that lets us know that this was always what was meant to be. What a rare and tremendous opportunity we've been given. What a gift.

This next step is bittersweet, however, because we know this new beginning also marks the ending of the previous chapter in Jairo's life. It was very difficult to leave For His Children, knowing what a wonderful home it had been to Jairo. So it was with many tears (on my part and the Tias part -- not on Jairo's!) that we said goodbye to the people who had been Jairo's family for so long. They threw a wonderful going away party for Jairo the afternoon before we left, and all his Tias and friends were there, as well as all the staff and all the children of FHC. It was such a special way to commemorate the relationships that had developed over the years, and we know that these bonds will not be broken with distance. We are already making plans to return for a visit next year!

Jairo is a boy with a very open mind and open heart, which continues to amaze and humble us. We were so impressed and touched by how peaceful and positive he was about coming to a new country. Given that everything here is foreign to him -- a new home, new family members (strangers, really), indecipherable language, strange food, unfamiliar clothes, different routine -- it would be understandable if he was completely overwhelmed with fear, anxiety, anger and sadness. Yet he handled it with the grace and ease of a person much older than his tender six years. He was curious, and eager to explore and learn about all the things to discover in his new home. This was a real gift to us, as it eased our minds to know that he was feeling so comfortable in this unfamiliar environment.

Our family embraced Jairo -- literally and figuratively -- from the moment he arrived. They greeted us at the airport, and although Jairo was a little shy at first, he quickly warmed up to his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. And he was very exited to finally meet Duffer, my parents' dog, who he had told his Tias was "waiting for me in the United States." We are so grateful to have such a wonderful family -- they are warm, welcoming and loving, and they helped Jairo feel comfortable right away. We are very lucky.

Eric had some time before having to return to work, so the three of us spent our first week here in the U.S. just enjoying being together. We went for walks, played in parks, and took a few paseos, including a trip to the Baltimore aquarium and to Chuck E. Cheese (wow, we had no idea how CRAZY that place is!). We enjoyed playing with the new toys and books in Jairo's room, and loved watching the delight on his face with each new thing he discovered. He is entertained by the simplest things -- like chasing squirrels, which he had never seen before -- and so every day brings something new.

This journey, which started long ago, has been one of the highlights of our life. These moments in life are a rare gift, so we are savoring every step, and enjoying just sitting back and rediscovering our world through the innocent eyes of our boy.