"Mr. Eldor has made several trips to the city (from Jeremie), and has been to the guest house, as well," reported adoption coordinator, Diana Boni.
Returning two days ago from her first, post-quake trip to Haiti, Diana reassured me that the brief, typed messages and sentimental items we prepared for Josianna, Wendy, and their parents have been delivered to BRESMA Director, Margarette Saint Fleur. She will translate our notes and hand to the kids' dad (Mr. Eldor) the selected mementos when he next comes by her office (dual-purpose guest house).
I've requested that, if possible, we might receive a report back with some details about their "new" lives together. We're operating under hopeful assumptions based upon the on-going "check-ins" that the four of them continue to be safe and healthy. But are they able to reside in at least modestly comfortable shelter? Are there prospects for future education? Have they recovered, emotionally, from the trauma of the disaster and series of changes in their young lives? We love them, and worry.
Considering that all inside of BRESMA's "Big Kids' House" was likely lost in the destruction, we sent to the kids mini-albums of photos from our August and December trips along with little teddy bears and the jewelry they chose when we shopped the Baptist Mission area just weeks before the quake. In their parents' "care- package" I wrapped the small, "rainy-scene" painting Josianna insisted I buy. For Josue, specifically, we prepared a wooden, pocket prayer medallion engraved with "espwa" (hope) and "fanmi" (family). For Tadeline, a black leather necklace with a "hope" charm -- to match my own.
To assure as best we can that our most important thoughts are communicated and not lost in translation (language, culture, age of the children), we kept our written sentiments plainly worded and brief:
Message for Josianna & Wendy: "We are so very, very relieved to know that you are okay after the earthquake. We prayed and prayed for your safety. We are happy for you that you can be with your Mama and Papa who love you so very much. We miss you a lot, but we know that you are where you should be -- with your Mama and Papa. We will always pray for all four of you to be healthy and happy. You will be like cousins for us – cousins in Haiti!"
Message for Josue and Tadeline: "Dear friends, we have a tremendous amount of love in our hearts for your family. We will never, ever forget how very kind you were to us when we talked together at BRESMA, how very smart and curious Josianna is, and how Wendy’s smile makes everyone around him smile, too. You are a beautiful family. Thank you for letting us be a part of your children’s lives. We love them, and we love you. We think of the four of you as like family, and we’ll keep you in our prayers and hope that we will be able to visit together some day in the future. Tadeline & Josue, please accept these small items as symbols of sisterhood and brotherhood between us and of hope for a vibrant future for those we love."
On that August day when the four Eldors and the four Cluvers sat and cried together, I was overwhelmed with wonder and respect -- how can humans be strong enough to surrender their desire to be near their children? Josue and Tadeline's selflessness for what was in the best interest of the kids amazed me. I felt privileged, soft, and humbled not to have ever needed to make that decision regarding my young ones.
How resilient the soul must be.
As the status of our adoption changed in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, we began to understand, if even to a small degree, from where the Eldors had drawn their strength . . .
Love.
It bears all things.
(Photo is courtesy of a fellow member of the "BRESMA family" as shared on Snapfish ; it was taken prior to our match with the kids -- what a great image of those two cuties!)
