Wednesday May 20th

Wow, nothing could've prepared us for this day. In our hearts we knew we wanted to meet Henok's birth mom, and we also knew we'd be emotional but that doesn't really scratch the surface of seeing the woman who doesn't get to see her baby grow up. Who out of faith and love handed him over to give him a chance and not starving and to get an education, and to have his needs met and be loved.
When we dropped off the kids to the grandparents house the night before we left, I had kissed Faithie on her head told her I loved her and laid on the bed with her. She looked at me and started to tear up and said she was sad cause she would miss me. And we both just laid on the bed and cried. Then Hopie came in and she started to cry so I just grabbed them and we cried together. This is the longest trip I've been away from my babies and it was incredibly hard to say goodbye for 8 days. Then I thought of Henok's mommy. What was it like to hug him and then walk away without being able to say, I'll see you in 8 days? With only a wish and prayer of something more for him? That's what tore at my heart even more as we prepared mentally to meet her.
So we got up, went to breakfast where Henok put away a substantial amount of food and headed to the orphanage early to play and try to talk with Almaz about what to expect. Our meeting was to take place at 8:30. So right around then a lady walked in, looked at us and went to sit down. I didn't know who she was but I almost started crying. It turns out she was going to court to finish the paperwork for her baby to be adopted by someone. Whew, ok not her - so where is she? So I was down watching the little kids sit on the potty's because at like 18months they are on their potty chairs and they sit there til they go, and sing songs and act silly. So who wouldn't want to see that?Seriously, it is adorable.
All the sudden Almaz came down and said "Ok she's here". She saw me, I saw her and we grabbed each other and just cried. Some people she is staying with who were there when Henok was born also came to say goodbye and to meet us.
Wow, Henok looks just like her. She was quiet and sweet and cried almost the entire time (so did I!)
Almaz read the letter we wrote her, gave her the album and then we asked what she wanted us to tell him about her and what could she tell us about his father. She said she tried and that when she was pregnant she moved from the village and bounced around til she found friends to take her in. She gave birth at home and tried to raise him but just couldn't do it. She said she hasn't talked to Henok's father since she left the village (we thought he was dead so that was confusing) and her parents have no idea she had a child and adopted him out. The family she stayed with had a grandmother figure who adored Henok and passed away a year ago and they wanted to see him one last time. So then we took a few pictures and she walked away.



I am so thankful for the meeting and am glad to have that piece of this puzzle for Henok. What surprised me was Henok's indifference to seeing her. He didn't go to her, cuddle with her, he barely acknowledged her. We had to tell him to go kiss her goodbye. I guess when she visited him throughout the last 10 months it was the same way. He didn't get worked up when she came or left. Almaz thought it was because he remembers how poor they were and being desperately hungry and having nothing. That he has already seen we are different and he doesn't want to go back to the other life. My heart did break for her, to see her son not being overly affectionate broke my heart and once we can communicate I'd love to see what he remembers.
After we took some pictures before she left Henok told them he was going to America on an airplane where the buildings are high. (thank goodness for translation!) It was quite cute.
So one more day in Ethiopia and then off to real life.....