The last few weeks have been very eventful for our family. John went home permantly (we hope) on the 22nd of July and seems to be doing well. As I type this Don is seeing him for the first time. We have all talked on the phone several times and he seems happy. It will be interesting to hear how things went.
On Monday July 26th, Oliver, Angelo and I drove to Orlando to see my very dear friend, Donna and 3 of her kids. Her daughter, Ally was in a softball tournament and we got to watch her play several times. I think of Donna as my kindred spirit. We just fit in together and there are no false pretenses. Donna is the most down to earth person and she just knows me. We have so many birthdays and anniversaries in common that our stars must have aligned. Her son, Daniel is 10 months older than Oliver and was adopted from the Kirov City Baby Home 10 months before Oliver. Donna and I became friends when Danny was home about a week and they live in Souther California. Russian adoption is really the luck of the draw so when we got Oliver's referral, I somehow knew God's hand was involved. Ally's team won the tournament and Ally got MVP of the tournament.
We came home Wednesday night to turn around and head out Thursday evening to head home to Omaha. Angelo stayed with my friend Amy and did pretty well give the circumstances. Thank you Amy and Justine. Our church family was hit with a horrible loss on Friday night. We got the call about 9:30 central time that our dear friends, Tommy and Karen's 11 year old son had been killed in a boating accident in the Keys that evening. The majority of our week in the midwest was spent with our hearts and minds with our family back in Fort Myers, tears frequently filled Don and I's eyes and we looked at each for comfort. I need to explain to you all that we all live in SW Florida away from our families and have all formed an amazing bond, one that God's hand created. When Don's nephew was tragically killed in an auto accident a couple of years ago we realized what a family we have at our church and how they would hold us up but never realized it would be a reality.
Today, was our first day back at church and I am not sure how they all stood so strong during this tragic time as I just wanted to fall apart. In this amazingly small world I am yet amazed at how God's hand can work. Karen has a good friend and former neighbor who has a daughter from Russia and when we started talking Russian adoption bubbly Karen said "You have to talk to my friend Kathy Durkee". Well I did and Kathy and I chat every now and then about things in the adoption world and convey messages through Karen and about Karen to each other. Kathy was able to drive down this week to support Karen and Tommy. She was able to provide them love and support when we couldn't and was able to witness first hand our amazing church family. They had over 800 people attend Michael's service Wednesday! Totally amazing.....please pray for Tommy, Karen, Eric and Christopher Duda as they somehow face life without Michael......
We are now preparing for Brynn to head off to Stetson on Friday and move in to her dorm on Saturday morning. Bittersweet is all I can say. She turned 18 on the 6th, another bittersweet moment. Oliver and Angelo are great and we are all doing good too! More later, have to take Brynn to her birthday dinner two days late.
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so sad and sorry for your family loss of the little boy... so glad to hear John has transitioned and is for the most part doing well.. he will always be blessed by the time spent in your home... can't get over how big Oliver and Angelo are both getting!! Love the shots of him with Daniel :) old buds. they almost physically look like brothers!! Glad you got that great time with Donna! Was so sad our calendars did not match up when they were up this way, and we missed them but hopefully next year!
Hoping all went well and Bryn is all settled in -- no doubt you all miss her!!
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