China
Guatemala
Russia
Vietnam
Brazil
IndiaDear FTIA Team,
I have been putting off writing this letter since we got home a month ago with our second daughter, Meredith, because it is difficult to put into words the range of emotions we feel - from pure joy to pure exhaustion. But to FTIA, we feel deep gratitude - especially at this time, especially after this adoption.
Your agency and staff have been a steady, guiding force during both our adoptions - from the application process and paperwork through the long wait and the journey to China. With Tina Ji during our first adoption (in 1999 and 2000 for our daughter Grace), and then with Kate during this adoption: Questions via phone or e-mail were always answered quickly, courteously and effectively. Even during the 14-month wait for our referral, FTIA was supportive and encouraging. And we appreciate that you stick by a policy of only passing along reliable information. The China adoption officials make referrals based on the chronological order that dossiers are submitted, so while our wait was 14 months, it has been as short as 9 months and as long as 15 months during the last couple of years.
But it was perhaps after we got our referral in February, that we
had to rely most on FTIA, as there were many obstacles to navigate before we
could get to our daughter - from war breaking out and the confusion about the
newly enforced CIS/INS mandate for parents to be refingerprinted to the growing
fears about SARS. Kate took many calls and e-mails from us and always responded
calmly and with reassurance. We would travel, we were told. And, fortunately, we
did. Our hearts are heavy now for the waiting families, as China puts adoptions
on hold until SARS is under control.
We are thankful we were able to get to our daughter as soon as we
did, because she was sick. But thanks in large part to our FTIA facilitator in
China, Meredith is healed and happy. And we are deeply thankful to be home and
healthy, sharing very full days with our greatest blessings - Grace and
Meredith.
So thank you for all you did to make that possible, to bring
these beautiful, spunky girls into our lives. We consider
ourselves fortunate to have our lives enriched by the entire experience of
adoption. And while our second adoption will most likely be our last, we will
always consider ourselves part of the FTIA family, and you part of ours. In
short, thank you for being so dedicated to so many children and families. For
that, there will never be adequate words.
We hope to see you at the East Coast picnic in June.
Richard and Laurie
