Friday August 12th, Harris was released from the children's clinic. He came back to our hotel along with Trumar for a last visit and a bath! Since his admittance to the hospital the previous week, we were not sure that he had been given a proper bath. A nice warm bath after being sick is one of the greatest things....but not for Harris! As soon as his clothes came off, he was not a happy camper! What we envisioned would be a nice bonding moment quickly turned into a race to get the bath over with! Once we were done "torturing" him and he was wrapped in a towel, the crying immediately stopped. Phew! We then rubbed him down with lots and lots of lotion, got him dressed and he was ready to play.
While playing on the bed, he randomly said, "Da!" Of course, we were shocked! We didn't know he could make any noises except crying! We sat on the bed with him and said, "Da" back to him and much to our delight, he answered back with, "Da da." He continued to impress us with his skills--crawling, pulling up onto a bench, squatting down and back up with a toy, mimicking sounds and facial expressions we did, and of course, more throwing of toys.
I just couldn't think about how much we had missed. How much he had missed by not being with us. But I was thankful for where he was and the moment we were in enjoying getting to know this little boy who had been our son in our hearts all these years.
The time with him came to a close and it was time for him to be taken back to the orphanage. I held him in the van ride there. It took all I had not to start crying. I held on to Harris and prayed that he would stay well and safe until we could come back. Upon arrival to the orphanage, Semey was told that we were not allowed to come in because of all the sicknesses going around. And just like that, he asked us to hand over our son. My heart sunk. Are you kidding me!? Just like that my time with Harris is abruptly ended?? We gave him hugs and kisses and off he went, back through the gate of the orphanage.
I bent forward to the seat in front of me and began to cry. I was not ready for that moment. I don't even remember saying, "Goodbye" or "I love you". I had hoped we could put up our picture over his crib along with the pictures Mary Clair and Asher had drawn for him. I thought we might would pray over him...give a blessing...something! It just happened so fast--a blurr.
I never wanted that moment to happen again.
Our agency workers told me not to cry and that God was going to take care of him. I knew God would take care of him. I was confident of that. But it was so terrible to leave him.
The following day we went around town and visited shops and experienced some of the culture. We wandered around trying our best to enjoy it, but all the while wishing Harris was with us and on a plane homeward bound! But we were trusting God's timing and His plan.
The trip home was long. I would not recommend a 10 hour layover in the middle of the night in Nairobi...the floor was hard and I'm pretty sure they played the same 4 songs over the loud speaker all night long. As soon as we landed in Amsterdam, we were right back on a plane. About 3 hours into the 8 hour flight, I thought I wasn't going to make it--too many emotions and not enough sleep. But God was looking out for me...I was standing in the back as the steward was bringing out a snack: ice cream! Glory!! My favorite treat in the world! Mana from heaven...or in the heavens ;) I was able to sleep after that enough to get me Atlanta.
It was so wonderful to be on the ground in the USA. We were going to see Asher and Mary Clair in just a couple hours! But we were still heartbroken to not be going in and kissing Harris' head too.
How much longer would we have to wait for our family to be all together?
"I will not leave you as orphans;
I will come to you."
John 14:18
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