I just don't know what to say. Last Friday the World changed. Schools are no strangers to terror and violence, but last Friday was different. It was my day off, Charlie was at school, Jack was taking a nap, Chad went out to run some errands and I watched in horror as the whole thing unfolded. By the time Chad came home with lunch, I sat in the chair in front of the T.V. weeping. He practically dropped the lunch on the floor when he came through the door. He yelled "WHAT HAPPENED?!!" I could barely choke out the words. He said I scared him, when he saw me he thought something happened to Charlie or one of our parents. The thing that scared me was that it could have been Charlie. It could have been my baby.
Next, the news that once again Russia is threatening to stop all adoptions to Americans. The bill has already passed on the first level and is on its way to the second level. After that Mr. Putin will sign off or veto the bill. In no uncertain terms he has said he would approve the bill if it came across his desk. Now I see our story rehashed. My wounds that have not quite healed opened up once again. Moms that have met their babies and now are being told their court dates are being "postponed". Families waiting have been told to start looking elsewhere. Our worst nightmare is in the news again. This time, my boy is sleeping in the next room. Not in an orphanage across the sea. But once again, it could have been me, two years ago- it was me. In this situation I guess it would be easy to become complacent and say "It's not me. My boy is home" But then I see their faces. The ones we left behind. The ones that will never know a mothers touch or a fathers gentle reassurance. The ones that will die in an institution or age out of a flawed system. The ones that will fall to prostitution, crime and suicide. All because of stubborn pride.
I am asking you, as a friend, to please do what you can to end this. Even if it's not you. It could have been you. It could have been us. Charlie. So many others that are loving life and thriving with their families. Please take just a moment to go HERE and email your Congress people and Representatives. Here is my letter:
"Hello Mr. ______. My husband and I adopted our 4 year old son, Charlie from Russia in 2011. It took us nearly two years to complete the process due to an adoption freeze in our region following Tori Hansen's actions. Now, it seems relations between our countries are on the brink of disaster again, with political threats of a permanent ban on adoptions to Americans. Voting has passed the first level (in the Duma) and is now headed to another vote before presented to Mr. Putin. I believe the second round of voting will happen as soon as 12/26 to be approved by the New Year. This is heartbreaking. Children, especially orphans, should never be used as political leverage or vengeance. I think of our son and how, most likely, he would have spent his life in an institution without adoption. There are 750,000 orphans in Russia, many of which "age out" and become statistics of prostitution, crime, and suicide. Adoption saves lives. I am begging you to be our voice of reason to Russia, to be Charlie's voice, in your position. Thank you for taking an interest in this matter, it truly is a matter or life and death for so many precious children."
You can also go HERE and sign the Petition to keep adoptions open to Americans.
Just for a moment, pretend that it is you.
Next, the news that once again Russia is threatening to stop all adoptions to Americans. The bill has already passed on the first level and is on its way to the second level. After that Mr. Putin will sign off or veto the bill. In no uncertain terms he has said he would approve the bill if it came across his desk. Now I see our story rehashed. My wounds that have not quite healed opened up once again. Moms that have met their babies and now are being told their court dates are being "postponed". Families waiting have been told to start looking elsewhere. Our worst nightmare is in the news again. This time, my boy is sleeping in the next room. Not in an orphanage across the sea. But once again, it could have been me, two years ago- it was me. In this situation I guess it would be easy to become complacent and say "It's not me. My boy is home" But then I see their faces. The ones we left behind. The ones that will never know a mothers touch or a fathers gentle reassurance. The ones that will die in an institution or age out of a flawed system. The ones that will fall to prostitution, crime and suicide. All because of stubborn pride.
I am asking you, as a friend, to please do what you can to end this. Even if it's not you. It could have been you. It could have been us. Charlie. So many others that are loving life and thriving with their families. Please take just a moment to go HERE and email your Congress people and Representatives. Here is my letter:
"Hello Mr. ______. My husband and I adopted our 4 year old son, Charlie from Russia in 2011. It took us nearly two years to complete the process due to an adoption freeze in our region following Tori Hansen's actions. Now, it seems relations between our countries are on the brink of disaster again, with political threats of a permanent ban on adoptions to Americans. Voting has passed the first level (in the Duma) and is now headed to another vote before presented to Mr. Putin. I believe the second round of voting will happen as soon as 12/26 to be approved by the New Year. This is heartbreaking. Children, especially orphans, should never be used as political leverage or vengeance. I think of our son and how, most likely, he would have spent his life in an institution without adoption. There are 750,000 orphans in Russia, many of which "age out" and become statistics of prostitution, crime, and suicide. Adoption saves lives. I am begging you to be our voice of reason to Russia, to be Charlie's voice, in your position. Thank you for taking an interest in this matter, it truly is a matter or life and death for so many precious children."
You can also go HERE and sign the Petition to keep adoptions open to Americans.
Just for a moment, pretend that it is you.
heartbroken
ReplyDeleteI have contacted our senator in NC. Let's hope there is something that can be done to stop this!