A New Day

Today, today, todayyyyyyyyy. It has been a glorious day! Luke woke up happy. He was smiling, giggling, happy. Not crying, not screaming, not afraid. Just happy. I was tempted to think about how long it would last, but rejected that notion and instead chose to enjoy the huge step that he took, that we took: He was not afraid to wake up with us. I could truly see in his eyes that he knew he was in the right place. All of the times before that, he would wake up screaming and crying and looking at us, and around the room, like, “Who are you? Why am I here? What am I not back with my foster mama?” But not today.

Abi and Luke today in their big sister, "jie jie" and little brother, "di di" shirts.

The day went on, and we went downstairs to breakfast. Still the joy continued. The only time he cried was when I walked away from the table to get more food for him. And let’s talk about the food. HE ATE! Up until now, he has just eaten little bits here and there. But this morning he had about a cup a congee, a bit of cantaloupe, watermelon and papaya, some corn, and eight ounces of yogurt. Glory be to God! After breakfast, we came back to our room and changed into swimming suits. He was still all smiles. Oh that smile. Oh how I love you so! When he smiles, his little brown eyes almost disappear as his cheeks puff out and push his eyelids nearly shut. I cannot get enough of that smile. And when you couple it with his giggle, it’s just too much. At breakfast, I said to Andrew, “Every time he smiles it is a glorious and welcomed shock to my system because we have barely seen his smile!” And the many faces of Luke have begun…his coy look, his flirtatious look, his cheeky look, his happy look, his “I’m proud of myself” look, all of this today!!

We went swimming and he thoroughly enjoyed himself. After that, we came upstairs to pack. We showered first (traveling with chlorine on our skin did not sound enjoyable), and he and Abi played in the bath for awhile. We got them out of the bath and got everything packed up. Luke, still happy as can be.

I almost said, “Margaritas all around!” but then I remembered that I have a 1 year old and a 4 year old. Not appropriate. But oh the glee inside of me! I know that this is our future with this little ham. It is so good to see you, Luke!

I will still take the tough stuff with the great stuff, this is what being family is all about. But today I am celebrating the beautiful breakthrough of the new sense of belonging and confidence I see in my son. And the joy of a mother to see your children at peace.