Sending Anjali Out into the World

So much has happened with Anjali that I want to share now that we have had her home a little over a week, but I have to start with the handing over ceremony that was one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had.  Adam wrote about it right after the fact in an email to family and he has agreed to share it here:

We have been home for almost 24 hours with Anjali. It has been such a smooth transition. No tears, no fits. There are occasional quiet moments of contemplation where you can see her processing all the new information but she is a really happy little girl. We cannot say enough nice things about all the sisters at Missionaries of Charity. They are an amazing bunch of women and their orphanage has such a happy and positive atmosphere. They treat the children with so much love and respect. 

When a child leaves the orphanage they have a ceremony to commemorate the start their new life with their parents. We had our ceremony Thursday morning. Anjali was dressed in a new outfit, that we were told to bring for her, and taken to the chapel.Yvonne and I lit two candles and placed them, with a bouquet, at the Virgin Mary. All the sisters and the 20 or so children came in and there was a short service. A hymn was sung, then the priest gave a very nice blessing granting Anjali strength in her journey as she made her way in the world. During the second hymn a sister took Anjali and gave a blessing at Mother Theresa, the crucifix and the Virgin Mary. Then all the children, sisters and other care workers lined up and gave Anjali a kiss goodbye. Finally the sisters hand her over to us. After a few photos (the only photos allowed are by their photographer) we were done. 

Anjali was so poised throughout the entire service. Sister Meera had asked her on the way to the chapel if she was ready to leave and she replied yes. The sisters spend a lot of time preparing the children to leave so they will be ready when their time comes. We were happy to hear that they want Anjali to come back and visit. 

Around the house Anjali is a little chatterbox. We don’t  always know what she is saying but she is teaching us some Hindi. I learned “shoe” and “water” yesterday and because I haven’t been able to make out the word for diaper yet she has added some sign language: wave one hand at me and point to her diaper with her other hand.  Yvonne is doing much better with the Hindi. So we are all getting along just fine and really enjoying our first days together.