The bridge from here to China

I have struggled some over this post and what I want to say about it. We have been so fortunate to have been building a relationship with Beck's foster family in China (his foster father mainly handles all correspondence). To see his picture, go into the archives under January at the post, "It had to be you."

Even the day we received Beck into our hungry arms, it was accompanied by a stack of handwritten letters (in Chinese, of course) for us and Beck. I don't know if they do this with all of the families that adopt their foster children, or if I started the process by sending a care package to their home before we ever adopted Beck (complete with toys, sunglasses, sunscreen, and clothes for Beck, treats for the foster parents, a bracelet for Beck's foster sister, cameras, and a letter in Mandarin).

On "Gotcha Day" (I just don't like that name), the orphange director warned us to not keep correspondence with the foster family because sometimes foster families will ask the adoptive parents for money. We were a little conflicted at the time, but once the next letter came, I chucked the orphanage director's advice out the window. If the foster parents ask us for money, I may personally feel disappointed, but I can say "No" if I choose. Conversely, the fulfillment that a relationship with them could add to Beck's life is worth us taking a chance on a little bit of potential dissappointment.

To this day, we have proabably gotten about 5-7 handwritten letters (including what we received in China) from them, and I have sent them a care package, 2 translated letters with pictures, and pictures on e-mail of each month that Beck has been with us.

I thought about posting the translation of the most recent letter to demonstrate how positive and loving they are. I decided against it because that is a precious part of Beck's past and it is HIS to share or not as he chooses when he is older. Beck was loved then and is loved even more now. I hope that we can find Ren's favorite Omma (nanny) so that she may enjoy the same proof that she was loved...always...then and now...and forever.

I also sent Beck's foster family the link to this blog. They cannot read English of course, but I hope they will enjoy the pictures. Even though you can't read this, we love and cherish you!!!!!