Home, Sweet Home!
May 25, 2006
It's 6:30 a.m. EST on Thursday Morning.
We're home!
Yesterday began at 5 a.m. China Time (+12 hours from New York time) with a wake up call at the White Swan Hotel. Tricia and I bounded from bed and quickly got ourselves and Grace ready for the long day ahead of us. We had our final breakfast buffet and loaded the bus for the airport in Guangzhou.
Once again we had to say goodbye to some wonderful friends in Mable and Susan who so tirelessly helped us while in Guangzhou. Mable started the trip with us and finished the trip with us. I will not soon forget her servant's spirit and wonderful personality.
Our first flight was from GZ to Hong Kong and there were signs right from the beginning that God was answering prayer. Grace, for only the second time, fell asleep in our arms and had a wonderful flight (albeit only a short one hour flight).
Once in Hong Kong we felt like we were in the Amazing Race as we rushed around the airport trying to figure out where we were to go. After walking a great distance, with about six carryon bags in tow, we reached the checkin desk for United. I asked the person working for a bulkhead seat since that would be the best place to use an airline bassinet, but they were already taken up, so he offered us seats towards the back of the plane that he said were good. I gladly accepted and we took off for our terminal.
Once at the terminal we found a little Thai restaurant and had a farewell plate of fried rice (our favorite staple).
When we boarded the plane we walked ourselves back to row 59. Sure enough, it looked like good seats because where the plane tapers in the back it goes from three seats wide on the outside row to two, which meant we would not have anyone directly next to us. This was good as we were concerned about Grace being a little bear on the trip. But as we looked there was an added benefit to this seat—a small empty area between the seat and the plane body.
This space proved wonderfully valuable as we were able to fold up some blankets and make a little bed for Grace on the floor. She took a very long, wonderful nap there for about one-third of the flight and had some quiet time during another stretch.
I can only report that it was a wonderful flight, considering what it could have been with a fussy baby. Grace was exceptional and rarely made herself known except to get herself comfortable to sleep. The flight was long (14 hours) and seemed to never end, but finally we touched down in Chicago!
I can't explain how good it is to be in America. After two weeks in China it truly feels like we're in Camelot. I was singing to myself "This is my country, Land that I love..." as I walked up the jet-way.
We proceeded to customs which was an important step. Inside my black roll-on was "The Packet." It was the all-important documentation that would allow Grace into America. I felt like I was carrying the presidential "football" all day as I kept this small case close and within easy reach and sight all day.
We gave them the documents, walked through the custom check point, and instantly Gracie became an American citizen!
After walking through the international stuff and out the doors we were greeted by our dear friends, Bob & Jennie Bixby with their daughter, Patience, and another good friend, Steve Schroeder. All three live in the Chicago area and were smiling at us. It brought tears to both Tricia and I as we were emotional wrecks by this point. It was so nice to see their faces.
They graciously helped us with our bags and we were able to spend a short time sharing Grace with them in an airport McDonalds. French fries and Diet Coke were never so yummy. After a much too short reunion we headed for our terminal for our domestic flight to Raleigh. We arrived to find that our plane was delayed an hour, but in that time were able to meets some very kind people who were interested in Grace. Come to find out, one of the people we met was a gal, a bit younger than us, who went to Colonial Baptist in Cary. It was nice to make that connection.
We boarded our plane and got into a long line of other planes to take off. We crept along for about an hour before we were cleared for takeoff. Air traffic had gotten backed up from a storm that rolled through Chicago earlier in the day.
Once we landed in Raleigh we were both bursting at the seams to see our friends and family. We stopped at the restrooms to freshen up a bit, which was the fastest we've ever done so. Tricia became the pack mule as I was carrying Grace and video taping at the same time.
What a wonderful, wonderful sight to see Frank Hamrick, Judy, Christy, Donna Alexander, Joy, and the kids with banners, balloons, smiles and tears. Of course, the attraction of the day was little Gracie Lu. It was a reunion fit for a TV special. In fact, a couple of the families we met prior to leaving for RDU stopped to take pictures and watch.
Hugging the kids never felt so good. They all felt soooooooo (as my kids would type) goooooooood! They each seemed like they had grown and were so big after toting a tiny little baby around for a week and a half.
We got our baggage and went to the parking garage where we saw the 15 passenger church van decorated with words announcing our adoption. It was great.
The ride from Raleigh to Rocky Mount never seemed shorter as we were all busy catching each other up on all the stuff that had happened. Allie and Lindsay were able to feed Grace on the way home while I snuggled with Morgan and Evan. We got home at about 11:15 p.m.—nearly two hours late due to our delays in Chicago.
Once home, we were surprised by visits from Pastor Shelburne, Maria Lander and Margaret and Frank Quinlan (who brought three boxes of Krispy Kreme!). It was wonderful for Grace to meet them (although she didn't seem to think it was so great at the time). Our heads were swimmy, but our hearts were full at the concern and care shown for us.
After a great visit we flopped into bed at about 1 a.m. Ahhhhhh. Home, Sweet Home!
