Something happened on the way to the hospital yesterday.
Esty opened up.
She had me in tears in minutes.
As soon as we dropped her sister off, she began to chatter. She had purpose. Something had been on her mind.
Up to this point, she has only answered questions I have asked in effort to learn more about her past.
Yesterday was different. She had something to say.
"Mommy, I have a friend at my orphanage," she began in Mandarin. (We still speak in Chinese about matters of the heart as it's still easier for her.)
My ears perked up. I turned off the music.
"Tell me about your friend," I answered.
"I'm so worried about my friend, Mommy. I don't know if he is okay or not." And she began to pour out her heart. "He is in a wheelchair like me. He was my friend. So nice. But his legs cannot bend. They are stuck in a bent position. He sleeps in a ball, with his feet tucked under him. I don't know if he is sick or not, Mommy. I don't know if he has a fever. I'm worried if he doesn't get adopted like me, he will die in China. The doctors we have here are so good. The orphanage had two doctors, but they didn't do much. They didn't help me when I was so sick."
I was speechless.
She continued.
"I want him to get a family. I want him to be able to go to good doctors. I am so worried, if he stays in China he will die."
I had tears at this point.
She proceeded to tell me how he was in 2 different foster families, but both families only had a mother.
Sweet boy. He has never had a father figure.
Oh my heart.
I asked her his name but she said, "Oh but Mommy, if I tell you his name, you won't know him."
I told her that I could ask my friend to see if she could find him. Find out if he has been adopted. Find out if he is okay.
She couldn't believe it.
She asked me how this was possible. I recounted the story about seeing HER picture posted…people were looking for her family to find her.
And we did.
She was on the edge of her seat.
And in between doctor appointments, I emailed my dear Annie. I used Pinyin to write out the boy's name. In order to find a particular orphan, you need their Chinese name and date of birth. Esty knew he was 9, but had no idea when his birthday was. I hoped for the best.
I knew which orphanage to search in, his Chinese name, approximate age and special need...I felt hopeful!
Within 24 hours, I had an email back from dear Annie.
SHE HAD FOUND HIM!!!
I showed Esty his picture. "That's HIM!!!! Oh Mommy, that's is really him!!! Is he okay? Does he have a fever?"
(Interesting to hear her worry about him having a fever. This was the key symptom she presented when she had that severe kidney infection that went septic and would have died if we didn't get her proper medical treatment. She is aware. She wants the best for her friend!)
Of course I had to answer that this information did not tell us whether or not he had a fever. But it did give us his birthday and he is now 10 years old.
He is on the Shared List.
If you haven't adopted from China that means that any agency at all can request his file and do his adoption paperwork. He is not locked in with any particular agency.
I have his file. What a precious soul.
It amazes me: his file was prepared precisely one year ago.
I have goosebumps. Do you?
As I read his file I love what I read.
"All nurturers and kids like him very much."
and
"He hopes to have his family with dad and mom."
How much more awesome to know that my Esty vouches for his delightful personality!
So friends, let's share this precious boy we are calling "Branch." Let's find his family!!!
If you want to more about Branch, please contact me. He has the same special need as Esty: spina bifida with lower limb paralysis. He also appears to have club feet. What a treasure!!!
Someone PLEASE go get Branch and we will meet up with you!! Esty wants to know that her friend can live a better life, have a daddy and not die in China unloved!!
How's that for a cause?? :)
Love my dear daughter! Who better to advocate for the orphan than the former orphan who knows both sides of the coin?
Let's get Branch a family.
