Thursday, March 17, 2011

Our son's forever sister



A few weeks ago I received a card in the mail for our little Yun Xi. It was from Lianne, a young lady who was adopted from Yun Xi's orphanage back in July, back at the very same time that we were reading over Yun Xi's file and praying to know if he was our son.

The first several months after we submitted our Letter of Intent to adopt him, I thought that Yun Xi was in foster care. When I learned he wasn't, I was literally sick with worry. Finding Lianne was truly a God-given gift. She said that in the orphanage they were placed in family groups. She'd known "Xi Xi" since he was a baby and even taught him to walk. She called him her "Di Di"(little brother) and he called her "Jie Jie" (big sister).

This orphanage does not prepare the children for adoption. Yun Xi will learn about us either the night before or on the morning of Gotcha' Day. Lianne sent this letter to her Di Di to be read by our guide on the day we meet him.  If anyone would know the mix of emotions he might be feeling, it would be this young lady.

Yesterday I needed to wire our money to China, but before I went to the bank, I had a feeling that I should turn the car around and go get Lianne's card and have it translated. I took it to a local Chinese restaurant and after some confusion that I did not need a table for one, the owner said he'd be happy to translate the letter. He and his mother sat with me at a table at the back of the restaurant and when they looked at the card, they both oohed and aahhed over Lianne's gorgeous penmanship. The owner asked more than once, while pointing to her picture, "This girl wrote this?" He was amazed.


He told me that the top part of the card, on either side of her picture, it said, "Do you remember me?" and "This is a current picture of me." Then the owner began reading the main body of the letter. First, he'd read a sentence out loud in Mandarin and then translate it into English.

Dear XiXi,
How are you? Did you have a good Chinese New Year?

Then he read aloud the next few sentences in Mandarin, but didn't say anything for several seconds. I thought that he was maybe unable to translate it, but when he spoke, I realized that he had paused because he was struggling to stay composed. Her letter was so sweet and beautiful.


XiXi, I am telling you good news. Your family is coming--a loving father, loving mother, loving brother, and loving sisters. You are going to have a good life and happiness forever. You are going to have a nice home and then you will grow healthy, breathing fresh air. There will be a brother and sisters to play with you and you will not be lonely because they will love you and you will be part of their family. Congratulations, XiXi. Be a healthy and happy little boy, full of promise. Now you are still little and I don't know if you still remember me, but I am always your sister.

I was crying. The owner of the restaurant was crying. The owner's mother was crying.  All of us dabbing our eyes with napkins.  I went to the bank and it was with total joy that I wired that money to China. This little boy, a boy full of promise, is getting a family! We're getting a new son! It's a gift beyond price and we are so thankful.


16 comments:

Jerusha said...

This is beautiful...what an absolute treasure. :o)

Louanne said...

that is the most amazing thing. What a gift!

Tina said...

That is so amazing! Wow! We are so happy for you!

Jessika said...

I shared your post today with several people. It was incredibly touching. What a wonderful life.

Anonymous said...

the girl sounds very loving, caring, she is incredibly smart & sensitive. she said she now has an English name, does it mean she will be adopted by an Amercian family as well?

Joan said...

Oh my... Thank you for posting that letter. I pray that you all get to meet some day. But your son was blessed to have such a wonderful forever sister. Wow... that is just beautiful.

Katie said...

Oh Eileen! Your posts are like a cliff hanging novel that I can't get enough of! Tears are streaming down my face as I read what that girl wrote! I hope that it will bring him peace and strength as his little world is about to be rocked (but in a good way)! Isn't it a miracle that he has a "sister" who can write such loving things to him? Thank you for sharing this with us!

Brooke said...

I read this post on my phone today while waiting in line at McDonald's for my annual Shamrock Shake. By the time it was my turn to order and I was told that their milkshake machine was down, I had tears streaming down my face (I continue to blame pregnancy hormones for my easy tears). I'm pretty sure the poor boy taking my order thought that I was truly devastated at the idea of not getting my minty green shake. :)

MellyJ said...

Truly sweet! I commented on RQ, too. We have the same CA date-our appt. is 8:30. Maybe we'll run into you at the Consulate.

Stefanie said...

BAWLING, Eileen! Goodness, that is a TREASURE!! I do so hope you are able to reunite those two soon :)

Anonymous said...

what a touching letter. Just one thought, unless you have permission from this family, they may not want their daughters name and picture posted for the world to see.

Eileen said...

I would not have posted it unless I had permission from the family.

Shelly said...

What a precious gift for your new son! So wonderful! :)

Wife of the Pres. said...

Well I am crying now too. What an amazing gift. I really hope they can meet again someday!

I had hopes that some of the older children from KCWI would remember our girl. Though I've been told some were like siblings to her, I've never had anyone make contact.

I guess he is too young to have been around our DD? She is 5 1/2 now and has been home 2 1/2 years so it is possible they were there together for a short while if he came as an infant.

I can't wait for you to meet your new son!!!

Jen Bay said...

What a gift for you. For you, and for your new son.

Jenn said...

I know Lianne's mom...what a treasure from a very special young lady, indeed!