I Dream Of Jeannie: The Waiting Child

"Gotcha Day"

1/30/2007. "Gotcha Day" to Gia Gong Jia Fan. Moments after we met Gia, her orphanage co-director brought out a photo album of Gia's life in Pingnan, Guangxi. She told us that Gia had shared her life with another little girl - Gong Fu Cheng in the orphanage and more recently in a foster home. Many of the photo's were of the two of them - often dressed alike - "like twins!" Gia would tell us later.
Gia looked at her photo's often, and it became clear to us that she grieved for her life in China and of her Gong Fu Cheng. Gia would tell us stories about her "we fighted!" One day I found Gia with tears streaming down her face, looking at her photo's and trying to call Fu Cheng on her toy cell phone.
We were told that Gia and Fu Cheng were in a foster home sponsored by Grace Hope. Through a very good internet friend, we found out that they had named Fu Cheng "Jeannie". My dear mother's name. She had passed away just 4 months after Gia came home. Hmm.... something inside me stirred and it was at that time that I decided that until Jeannie was placed with her "forever mama" that I was it - and I would do everything possible to advocate for her.
Gia was doing her part to convince us that Jeannie was her sister. One night I heard her tell her daddy at bed time " Gong Fu Cheng has the same daddy as me - in America!" Well, daddy was not convinced! Several months later on Mothers Day I received a card from Gia and her daddy that said "mommy, please do everything you can to bring Jeannie home". He said yes! He is the best daddy and husband ever!
After months of hard work, persistence, prayer, help from people I don't even know, we received approval to adopt Jeannie. We will be her forever family! Gia and Jeannie will have a life together with their big brother Ben!

We can't wait to travel to China and to Jeannie!

Gotcha Day 3/23/09

Sunday, March 8, 2009

The Waiting Child

When I read this poem, I think about how our girls must have felt watching the younger children and babies come and go in the orphanage. We know for a fact that Gia witnessed "gotcha day" with other children, but she was left behind. How sad for her, and how fortunate for us. Bless her little heart!

The Waiting Child
by Debbie Bodie

I saw you meet your child today
You kissed your baby joyfully
And as you walked away with her
I played pretend you'd chosen me.

I'm happy for the baby, yet
Inside I'm aching miserably
I want to plead as you go by,
"Does no one want a child of three?"

I saw you meet your child today
In love with her before you met
And as I watched you take her out
I knew it wasn't my turn yet.

I recognize you from last year!
I knew I'd seen your face before!
But you came for a second babe.
Does no one want a child of four?

I saw you meet your child today
But this time there was something new
A nurse came in and took MY hand
And then she gave my hand to you.

Can this be true? I'm almost six!
And there are infants here you see?
But then you kissed me and I knew
The child you chose this time was me.

15 more "sleeps" until we are with you Jeannie Fu!
Love you,
Mama, Daddy and Gia.

1 comment:

Mariah said...: I looked forever to find the darn comment button D: But ah , I need your email address so that I can email you pictures of Noah. And it's so sweet that you're going to get Jeannie :) She's going to be thankful to have an amazing mom like you

i love you guys and I miss you.; March 11, 2009 at 3:34 PM