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After A fitful night of sleep, morning finally comes! I say fitful, because our son’s blood sugar continued to fluctuate, and due in part that and in part to the excitement and a new room, he had trouble sleeping. We were on fumes anyway, from the last few days, and being so near and yet so far away, we had trouble sleeping too!
Morning finally came, and we got ready quickly, and checked out. As mentioned yesterday, my son gets easily attached. Since we are due back to Memphis Friday evening at this same hotel, my son really wanted to stay in this particular room again. So at check out he said, “Excuse me, but when we come back on Friday, could we please stay in the same room?” One of the janitorial staff overheard and said, “How can you say otherwise, when you get asked like that!?” My son was pleased to have his manners acknowledged like that (not that it’s a rarity … I suppose manners have gone by the wayside, as it actually gets mentioned to him a lot that he has great manners), and we will see the room again on Friday, Lord willing!
There is a Starbucks across the street from the hotel, and off we go for a ninety minute ride. The ninety minute life-changing ride, that is! We pass by some beautiful countryside … I’ve not been back here for almost twenty years … since the funeral of my beloved grandmother.
While in route, we get a call from the social worker. The kids are antsy! In fact, our youngest soon-to-be-son said to my son on the cell phone, “If you’re teasing me [about coming to visit], you better quit!” He was so serious and earnest that my son fell out laughing! He assured him we’d see him in just a few minutes!
For the second time in less than 24 hours, my online directions are wonky. We call the social worker and get turn by turn directions as we’re on the phone. We’re finally here!
Our foster mom meets us outside to motion to us where to park on this big campus. After relating the weird coincidence on the flight last night, I get ushered inside, as hubby tries to make his way in. There is a crowd of beaming adults, most with visible tears in their eyes, as the kids come running out to hug my son and I! The whole staff of the agency is there, as well as the foster mom.
After presenting the kids with travel presents (which they both refuse to let go of!), we spend some time talking with everyone, pose for pictures, and generally get acquainted. A few things quickly become apparent: firstly, the kids all immediately fall into their roles. Even though my soon-to-be daughter is older than my soon-to-be son, and has clearly been “The Big Sister”, my son is the big ticket item, and is now clearly, “The Big Brother!” He has a shadow in my youngest, and they all bond as we thought they would.
Meanwhile, my daughter sticks to me like glue and asks to sit next to me at lunch and holds my hand everywhere.
