It's been 3 weeks since we first met Shen Jia Wen. I don't think any of us will forget it. As Mrs. Tan brought her around the corner of the Civil Affairs office, Jia Wen looked somber. The little boy that also came in with them, Jia Xue, let out a holler. At that point, Jia Wen started crying loudly, too.
I don't remember how long the crying lasted, but it was a long, long time. Several times I wondered if she would ever be able to calm down enough to come to me. Poor baby not only cried and screamed at times when we got near, but she tried to physically get as far away as she could, too. She shook her head no and tried to push away from us.
It seemed like Jia Xue calmed down fairly quickly and began playing with toys that his new family, the Johnsons, brought for him. Not little Jia Wen. We later learned from Mrs. Tan that each time Western visitors came to the orphanage and came into her classroom, Jia Wen cried and tried to get away from them. I suppose it was no wonder then that she was so afraid of a whole family of Western people.
I'm including a video of Gotcha Day to show some of the drama. This is in no way the worst of it. Actually, as Steve was videotaping, it just became too hard to bear. He put down the camera and waited until much later when things were calmer.
6 comments:
I'm sure she was terrified and maybe not fully understanding what was going on. My heart goes out to her and pray her little heart will find peace with her new environment.
Even though we knew it was a bad first meeting the video really made it real. Still crying as I write this! Maimie was so excited to finally see her little sister and wanted to reach out to her so much! Even Joseph thought the stuffed pig might work! Imagine you figured it could only get better at that point!
To look at Saidie smiling now we are confident she is comfortable with her new family!
Has it really only been 3 weeks? Seems like a lot longer to us--of course it seemed like you were there for months!
In Christian Love,
Grandma & Grandpa
That video is tough to watch. Especially watching you, obviously your heart was breaking for her! That is such a difficult moment to go through... as we did with Lilah... you never know how they are going to react! And yet, a year from now, she will be a different little girl, all because of you and your family.
You all have come a long way together! No wonder she cried when she saw Jonathan and I come into your living room...oops. I did love how Maimie was so tender with you and her excitement rather than discouragement at all the crying. Speaks volumes of the future!! It was fun to see her, hand in hand with you at church yesterday. :)
Vera
I only saw her when she was cute little matchies with Maimie and seemed pretty happy with her new family in Guangzhou. I didn't know you had such a heart wrenching gotcha day :( You are an awesome family, and I'm so glad we got to meet you all. Saidie is such a little sweetheart. So glad she has you, and you have her.
-Jessica
Monica,
You are so brave. I can't imagine how hard those first moments with her must have been. But you just stayed right there and kept trying to show love to her. A difficult video to watch, but also a beautiful picture of a mother's love.
Praying for your family,
Paula
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