It's arrived sooner than I ever expected: Russia.
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The scene: Bedtime, lights out, Daniil is lying in his striped pj's (with padded feet), tucked in under the covers in his little bed. We've just finished our good-night kisses and hugs. I lie in the big bed next to him, still fully dressed, expecting to sneak out of the room in a few minutes, once Danya falls asleep, to do the dishes and other evening chores.
The scene: Bedtime, lights out, Daniil is lying in his striped pj's (with padded feet), tucked in under the covers in his little bed. We've just finished our good-night kisses and hugs. I lie in the big bed next to him, still fully dressed, expecting to sneak out of the room in a few minutes, once Danya falls asleep, to do the dishes and other evening chores.
Danya: Tommy said "My Russia." No, Danya's Russia.
Mama: Danya's Russia, not Tommy's?
Danya: Yes. (Pause) Mama Russia?
Mama: I went to Russia to find you.
Mama: I went to Russia to find you.
Danya: I'm here!
Mama: I found you! That was the happiest day of my life.
Danya: I'm here! I found you!
Mama: We found each other. I'm the luckiest Mama in the world. I am your Mama forever and ever. And you are my son. Moy solnyshka.
Danya: Big hug. Squish me.
I lean down and over to Danya's bed. We embrace in a big bear hug.
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Tommy, as I recall, is an older boy in Daniil's class at the Montessori School who also was adopted from Russia. I'm going to email the teacher to get details. And I'm going to talk with other adoptive parents about ways they've discussed adoption with very young children. I figured this would come up at age 6 or 7. My boy's ahead of the curve in many ways.
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oh yes, it is a lifetime of opportunities and snippets that are about putting together "me." What a beautiful story. Finding games, hide and seek, security in connection -- all reenact that primary experience, which is just what 3-4 need to do...act it out. Many of these moments will come when you least expect them. Talk is all good, and helpful, and sometimes hard. It's great to connect with other parents. There are some nice adoption books for kids too....even though they tell different kinds of stories, Miranda liked us to read them to her over and over.
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