Visiting the orphanage/Picking up Sasha!

November 28, 2007 | Leave a Comment

As my last post left off we were boarding a van for a short drive from the train station in Shummerlya to the orphanage where Sasha has spent the last few years of his life. Another family from Wisconsin was also traveling with us as they were also adopting a child from the same orphanage. Even though their new son was a little older than Sasha we soon learned that they were good friends. We arrived fairly early (around 6:45 I believe) and were warmly greeted by the staff. The orphanage was surrounded by trees and all the new snow made it almost seem picturesque.

Although the age of the building and its surroundings was evident I was somewhat surprised by how clean and well cared for it appeared, as well as the children. As we entered via a side door we were almost swept away by a group of very neatly dressed children ascending the stairs along side us. We were told that these were some of the older children on their way to school.

We were then taken to the director’s office where we were greeted by other members of the staff and caretakers. They explained to us that our children were still asleep but would be along shortly. We waited and discussed our impressions among ourselves for a few minutes before the kiddos arrived. Our new friend’s son arrived first and it was nothing but smiles and embraces as he leaped into the arms of his new Mom. Sasha arrived a few minutes later and his excitement was a little more guarded. We had expected this since we hadn’t seen him since early summer and even then we had only spent a couple of days with him. But as soon as he began to grasp the situation he warmed up and in typical “Sasha” fashion, took control.

We were then ushered off to a small room where a very nice breakfast was prepared for us and our children.

We spent some time eating and getting “re-aquainted” with the boys before heading off to visit their respective groups (classes) to meet their classmates and teachers, hand out treats that we brought and to say goodbye before leaving for Cheboksary.