Just Imagine about Russian Adoption

Just imagine that you decide you'd like to help a child,across the world to meet your child. But, you
not just any child, but a child with no family and nofrantically make arrangements and before you know
hope for a decent future. You know this is a hugeit you are traveling to Russia. Imagine traveling and
commitment and will effect everyone in your family,traveling...trains, planes & automobiles of
your friends and ultimately will change your lifetraveling. 30 hours of traveling to meet your child.
forever. You are willing to take on this mission evenNow imagine you are finally sent to a small green
though you are scared of the unknown and whatroom in this old orphanage where you wait for
you are about to undertake.someone to bring in your child. You begin to wonder
Imagine, somewhere in Russia, is a child rockingwhy you are there. Why are you doing all this, to the
himself to sleep each night wondering what it wouldpoint of exhaustion? You have done a mountain of
be like to have someone who could rock him, topaperwork, paid more money than you had ever
comfort him when he was scared or hurt, someoneplanned on and traveled to a part of the world that
to wipe his tears and tell him he was going to be ok.is full of poverty and despair.
Imagine how it feels to be hungry so often you noBut suddenly, the door opens and a large Russian
longer understand what it means when your tummywoman walks in with a small, thin little boy holding her
growls. Imagine never leaving the orphanage to seehand. He has the little face that has been hanging on
the rest of the world. No car rides, no trips to theyour refrigerator for the past six months. She takes
park, no McDonalds, and no birthday parties. Worsthim to you and tells him, "This is your Mama." You
of all, imagine no hugs and kisses, no trips totake him in your arms and hug him tight. You notice
Grandma, and no one to answer your cries. Imagineyour husband has tears in his eyes as he picks up
an orphanage with large silent hallways. Orphanagesthis very small 5 yr. old.
filled with children, but no crying? They have learnedAt that moment you know this little guy is your son.
that crying gets no response, and soon they noYou know you are changing his life forever. He now
longer know how to cry.has hope for a good life, an education, better health
Imagine wanting to adopt one of these children, butand a forever family to love him and care for him. All
you must fill out endless forms, sometimesthe frustrations you have experienced to this point
repeatedly. You must have physicals, finger-printing,have melted away as this little guy hugs his Papa's
police checks, home studies and fill out moreneck and giggles. You play outside with him and his
paperwork. Then this paperwork must be notarized infriends in the orphanage. They hug you and call you
triplicate, apostilled (proof of notary), and sent toMama and Papa. Most of them will never know what
various people on demand. Imagine doing thesea real Mama and Papa are, though. You know you
papers over several times to the point that Federalhave to do all this traveling again in a few months,
Tax forms look more appealing than adoptionbut this time to bring him home to your family and
paperwork.friends. You will discover that not only have you
Imagine getting the call that your paperwork haschanged his life for the better you have taught an
finally been seen by someone from Russia and youimportant lesson on caring to all your family and
can finally travel to meet your child! (This happenedfriends.
to me while I was shopping in Wal-Mart and I burstIf you experience all this then you will be able to
into tears!) Imagine having one week to make airlineimagine what it is like to adopt a child from Russia.
arrangements, child care arrangements, etc. to travel