So many negative stories about adoption reach the media, but rarely do adoptive parents get to share their joys. Christmas day has lent itself to some of that very special adoptive-parent joy for Mr. Beaver and me. As adoptive parents we get to experience some pretty amazing "firsts." Today we got to watch six-year-old Oksana's happiness as she played with and nurtured her first doll that is all her own, not the communal property of her orphanage.
It wasn't long before an older sister got a blanket out for Oksana's new baby, and Daria immediately helped her swaddle her "kookla" (doll in Russian). From what we could gather from Daria, swaddling is an important skill, perhaps even an art form in Russia that all Russians must know and be able to do. Daria was astounded that Alexander had never been taught.
The swaddling left "La La," Oksana's name for her baby, hungry. The new mother was happy to oblige.
All day long we were delighted by Oksana's delight. What a blessing to be the ones that the Father of the Fatherless has asked to bless her.
P. S. We just learned that Daria, who is almost 16, has never owned a doll either. She was willing to be vulnerable with us and told us she would still very much like to own one. That's enough to bring grizzled, gray, extremely experienced adoptive parents to tears. Following the Sabbath tomorrow, you'll find Mr. Beaver and me scouring the depleted shelves of the stores for just the right kookla.
