Memories

Tonight I watched a little girl playing with stickers and found myself thinking back. One day I bought as many little notebooks and stickers I could find and took them to the kids at the orphanage. There was one little boy who got upset a little and I sat there and watched him pull stickers and stick them in his notebook, while he sniffed and wiped his eyes. It was something special to him. He wanted my approval on what he had done. His name was Losha, but I called him my Tic Tac buddy, because I took him Tic Tacs every day until I began to worry about his teeth. I thought how bad this boy needs someone to care about him.
On my wall in my bedroom I have an 8x10 picture of my closest friend there, Tonya and her little brother, Aundrey. Tonya will age out of the system very soon and she is in my prayers daily. I also have a picture of my girl, Nastia. This picture was taken with a cheap camera one of the kids gave me to develop pictures. She is laying on her cot and you can see the loneliness and despair of this child. Those of you who have been there know from experience.

Papa Dennis

No More Walls

I have known Tamara for almost three years now. We hosted her twice and have spent time with her at the orphanage. She has never let me be close to her. I have gotten a lot of rejection and had decided to just accept her as she is. Well, last Saturday the girls went to a birthday party for one of the adoptive children in Houston here. On the way home Toma decided to have one of her pity parties. We have always accepted it, but she has been one of the family for almost two months now, so June did what a mother usually does, and fussed at her. When I got home, Toma described what had happened. It was cute. I believe June disciplining her made her feel more a part of the family. It seems to have broken down the last wall separating Toma and her Papa. She has been more a part of the family and more receptive to her Papa. This is a Toma I have never met. We have had some concerns about attachment issues, but it seems things are going better. I have a friend who died several years ago. When you would ask him how he was doing, his reply was always, "Better and better".

Today June visited with a family who is leaving for Ukraine soon. She gave them the phone we used on our trip. There are so many memories and friends that come to mind. We called Ukraine the other morning and talked to a dear friend we made while there, Brother Vacili. In a way I wish we were going back. There isn't a day that passes that I don't think of the people there.

Another Papa Post

I am having to get used to the new affectionate Toma. We all went to Wall-Mart tonight and Miss Toma insisted on walking with me holding hands. Karina was affectionate with me from day one, but Toma has pretty much, until just recently, given me the universal--"talk to the hand." I never expected her to pursue my affection. I don't know how to be affectionate to Toma. I can tell she is trying, and best of all I can see she is more relaxed and happy. Of course making your sister jealous is fun also. Toma is less dependent on Karina for everything, and there is a little more time for Mama and Papa.

Papa Dennis