Two Journeys Together

It is hard to believe that we are nearing the end of our second journey to China.  Today, like most of my time here, I am in a thoughtful place.  Today, I am watching my daughter...my oldest daughter...the sweet little girl who turned my life around...the little one who returned joy and hope into my grieving heart.  She is 7 now and fluttering about with her dearest of friends...a friend who is more than a friend.  Hard to define a connection that began so long ago in their own orphanage...

on the day they both met their families...and one that brought them back again together to meet their sisters.

There is a lot that need not be said, but is simply felt.  How sweet they are together... when they first saw each other again in Hong Kong, they left us chatty adults and found a quiet corner, sat down and were arm in arm, hand in hand.

So much they have quietly experienced together.  And on this second journey... I really don't have the words...watching them take it all in...sometimes with anticipation and excitement...other times quietly and reflectively....others emotionally....Whatever it has been, it has been good.  So good.

And here we are wrapping up another time together...We have said our goodbyes to our friends, Chris, Kate, Nina and their new little Stella.  Nina (Li Na) and Graceanna (Li Xian) have said goodbye ten times with hugs, promises, and pleads not to be separated.  We are crammed into the little van outside the hotel, ready to leave, ready to pull out of the hotel drive and suddenly Gracie is bounding out of the van door and rushing back in where Nina is standing watching and rushes to her with a leaping hug.  Two journeys. Two incredible journeys...