A most wonderful and amazing thing happened

Forget everything we said about these places - except the dingy part. We were concerned about this afternoon's meeting with the folks in Krasyliv since they could decide to not allow the adoption, and had already made what should have been a routine piece of paperwork into a dog and pony show. We picked up a new intepreter and rode out to Krasyliv and were briefed on what to expect - essentially a grilling. Later we learned that part oа this was they wanted to see "the Americans" (Americanskis). Our facilitators brought "gifts" which had us concerned.

Then it happened.

We went into a room where representatives of the Departments of Sports and Youth, Minor Age Children, Education, Social Services, Health, and a couple of others had gathered. The meeting was chaired by the head of the Town Council. After some easy questions they opened up.

We were told that all of these people had spent almost the entire day on our case doing paperwork and making phone calls. They then told us that the President of Ukraine had declared this the "year of adoption". They went on to thank us for what we are doing, asked that we take good care of their children and maybe one day they would return to visit Krasyliv. Several of the people then made brief speeches offering us good fortune and God's blessings. In essence they gave us their children. Even typing this now brings on waves of emotion. Never did we imagine this "dog and pony show" would become one of the most memorable events in our lives. We thanked them all for their warm wishes and for taking the time to be there today.

Aftward we hung out waiting for the head honcho who never showed, but during that time we learned (through our interpreter) that the head of Social Services became an orphan at age 15. We then went back to the Social Services office and enjoyed those gifts - tea, coffee, cookies and chocolate. Again, the warmth of the people and experience of enjoying good company (them speaking Ukrainian and laughing at our Russian), cookies and tea, while sitting in a stark office in a dimly lit, imposing communist style municipal building is beyond description.

We are changed.