A New Day

We had hoped to pick up some speed this weekend, get out of the apartment, and do some more sight-seeing. We started our Saturday with a special treat. Maria Christina's masseuse, "Dolly," showed up at our apartment to give us both massages! Jamie went first while Eli and I went on our first daddy-less venture to Pan Pá Ya for some hot chocolate and bread. Since the shop is right across the street and we've been there a few times, it was the perfect choice for my first solo attempt at taking Eli out and ordering in Spanish. We parked the stroller at a little table for two and shared some bread. He's becoming a more adventurous and confident eater, reaching out to ask for bits of my food when I eat, and using his two little front teeth to mash and chew increasingly bigger bites. I thoroughly enjoyed  hanging out with my son at a coffee shop for an hour and then we headed back to the apartment so that Jamie and I could switch roles. He took Eli to Éxito to grab some groceries and I turned myself over to Dolly's skilled hands for an hour of complete relaxation.

Hanging out with Eli and Sophie, the Giraffe, at Pan Pá Ya!

We had both been surprised when she showed up at our door empty-handed, without a massage table, but she proved herself capable. With only towels and a blanket spread at the foot of our bed, she worked for two hours on her knees! I'm not sure if this is typical here or just Dolly's way, but it worked well and I finally found some relief from the lower back tension that's been nagging me. She charged us each $36,000 pesos, approximately $18 each. We gave her the equivalent of $40, throwing a little extra in as a tip, and she actually called us an hour later to make sure it hadn't been a mistake! When she counted the money, she realized there was extra and was concerned that we had misunderstood...What a sweet, honest woman!

I had been feeling a little down the day before, fighting off a cold and enduring a mild headache. Although we had hoped to spend Saturday afternoon sight-seeing, after the massage, all I wanted to do was rest. I felt bad asking Jamie to spend another day in the apartment, but I had so little energy. He did go back out, later, for a walk with Eli and brought me home some flowers to brighten up the apartment. Later, Jamie spent some time in the kitchen making one of our favorite recipes from home for dinner: Cindy Ripley's White Chicken Chili.

Flowers from my husband...

Dinner was delicious, but even as I was eating I could sense that my stomach wasn't quite right. After Eli was down for the night, we watched a little TV and I started to feel increasingly ill. By 10:00pm, I had started what would turn out to be 6 hours of cold sweats, nausea and violent upheavals- no sleep was to be had. This is the second time I've been hit by this stomach bug, which I suspect is something more akin to food poisoning. It comes on suddenly and vehemently; my body feels the need to purge everything I've digested until I am empty and exhausted. Although, I was more violently ill this time, the process was faster than last time and I wasn't as scared. Having lived through it once already, I knew I was going to be alright. Still, it is a miserable feeling to be so sick, vulnerable and so very far from home. There's no such thing as calling an ambulance here. So, in a worst case scenario, we would still have to deal with a whole chain of phone calls in our rudimentary Spanish before we could get a ride to a hospital. The scenario played out in my mind throughout my sleepless night: being unable to explain to the doctor how I felt due to our limited Spanish vocabulary and then not understanding the responses or directions...not knowing what I'm consenting to or what form of treatment I'm about to receive...It is very anxiety provoking! Fortunately, by morning, the worst was over. Jamie got me more ginger ale and I was able to eat some dry cereal. I also had brought an electrolyte supplement (Nunn) along with us for running, so I sipped on that, as well, hoping to regain a little strength and energy. 

We had made plans on Sunday to have lunch with Maria Teresa and Carmen at a famous restaurant that has a live horse show (sounds interesting, right?!!) Unfortunately, we had to cancel as I was in no shape to be social. I tried to convince Jamie to take Eli and go without me, but my dutiful husband remained by my side and handled the majority of our child's care throughout the day so I could sleep and recover. I did manage to get some couch time in with Elias, who seemed to sense that I was ill. He was very quiet and calm yesterday, spending several long intervals just lounging with me and further investigating my face, hair, hands, ears...I love to watch him discover the world. Everything is new and fascinating to my son. His eyes are open and alert to all the details we take for granted. He reminds me to look and listen, to be aware of the world around me.

Back at home yesterday, our FANA friends were gathering for the annual family picnic. They were on our minds and in our hearts as they will be again today. Our annual golf tournament and dinner is taking place at Wanakah Country Club. This event, our largest fundraiser, is made possible by the combined efforts of hundreds of families who have adopted from FANA. It is our way of giving back to the the amazing organization that made our families possible. Each year, at the picnic or the golf tournament, there is a referral or the announcement of a child to be placed with one of our waiting couples. The referrals are magical. We all pray for them, hope for them and celebrate with each family when the gift is finally theirs to receive. Today, I am with my friends, in spirit, and joyfully anticipating some good news by the end of the night. The announcement of a referral is the beginning of a whole new chapter of life for the couple who receives it. I know now, from my experience with Elias, that nothing can prepare you for the love that begins with that first picture...a glimpse at the future you've waited so long for. Mercedes, the founder of FANA, knew this all too well. She adopted her first child and then decided to spend the rest of her life dedicating herself to making that incredible experience a possibility for thousands of other children and parents.

I'm a FANA kid! 

If you haven't caught this on my Facebook page yet, take a few minutes to watch and get a closer look at what FANA is really all about:

FANA's 40th Anniversary Video

Today is a new day. I am awake and hungry! This is a good sign that I'm on the mend. I can hear my little boy stirring and happily babbling from his crib as I finish typing this entry. We've received news that our case is assigned to Court #15 which is a "good court," meaning that things should start to move along more quickly. Also, last night, we made contact with Octavio and Geraldin Cuesta through Facebook. We are, hopefully, going to see them again this week and talk more about the possibility of  being their daughter's Godparents. I also received an email from Jerri, our FANA adoption director, that another FANA family from Western New York just arrived here at La Fontana! They are adopting an older group of three siblings and will receive the children today! We are so excited to meet them and the kids. So many children get caught up in the system here, just as in the US, and as they age it becomes more difficult to find families to place them with. The fact that these three siblings will be able to stay together and finally have a loving home and parents of their own just makes my heart swell with gratitude. What a blessing! 

So, I'm off to greet the morning with renewed energy and a positive spirit. We get to start our day with a Skype date with our good friends and Godsons, the Trenchard family. Next up, we have an appointment with my sister and brother-in-law and our niece and nephew. Being here, away from my house, my work, and my full schedule, has taught me what is truly essential. Life goes on without our belongings, our social engagements, and even the jobs that so often define us. But, family and friends...They are essential. We couldn't do this and we wouldn't be here without the support of our amazing circle of loved ones. 

Thank you. 

Wishing you all a beautiful, meaningful day. Remember what is important and let the rest be. That lesson is the best souvenir I can hope to bring back from Bogotá.