In my arms

Today I got to hold Shanti in my arms. Her orphanage director brought her to our hotel for a visit here. She fell asleep on the way here to awaken to the entirely foreign surroundings of our hotel room. Poor thing was so frightened. She clung to me as if I was her life boat in an angry sea. She cried any time I tried to put her down or have my husband take her, not a wailing cry, a sweet frightened cry. She warmed up after an offering of a banana. She seemed to enjoy playing with the sensory balls I had brought for her (bright air filled balls with bumps all over them). But what she really liked was the keys to the hotel room and the TV remote. What is it that universally attracts kids to remote controls?

After several hours, we went with her back to the orphanage, she was so happy to see her didi (the women who normally cares for her) and immediately brightened and reached out for her. Once in her didi’s arms she turned back to me and dismissed me by waving goodbye, making it clear that she was happy to be back in her familiar surroundings, in her familiar arms and I could go now. I wish I could make this transition easier for her. Her life as she knows it is about to change so much.

Afterward we went to the bluebird market to get supplies we hadn’t remembered to bring with us, then met with the other two families from our agency, our program director and our Nepal representative for dinner at a traditional Nepalese restaurant. It was a good venue to relax and talk about our common experiences and what is to come. The food was good, varied with a mix of tastes that were unique. The only thing I really didn’t care for was the tea, it was earthy slightly buttery and brought back strong memories of our recent visit with the boys to the petting zoo at the State Fair. I think I just experienced yak butter tea.

Tomorrow I get to hold her again.