Jan 30, 201208:00 AMChina Mom
Lunar New Year: Whatever
Lunar New Year: Whatever
Last night we attended Dillon International’s Lunar New Year event. We’ve gone to our adoption agency’s annual fundraiser every year since we began our adoption process – yes, we even went before Piper came home. We’re dorks.
One of the highlights is the procession of children dressed in their traditional costumes from their native homeland. To commemorate the Year of the Dragon this year, the children walked in carrying a balloon dragon. As we were “backstage” getting ready for the procession, Piper wondered aloud to her friend who would get to wear the papier-mâché dragon head. She said it would probably be “our teacher.”
Because she had been running around like a banshee, I suggested that, “Maybe the best behaved child will get to wear the dragon head.” She looked and me, dropped her hands to her sides and said in her best 15 year old tone, “Whatever.”
Later, after dinner, during Dillon’s special 40th Anniversary presentation, one of the speakers was the agency’s first adoptee: a young woman from Korea, now living in Texas. She spoke briefly, but her words touched my heart and made me teary-eyed.
“If it weren’t for Dillon International, I wouldn’t be here today,” she said.
I looked over at my daughter, my heart filled with love and gratitude.
She was playing Angry Birds on my husband’s iPhone, oblivious to it all.
Whatever.
Email
Print
Feed
When Karen Szabo adopted her daughter Piper from China back in 2006, she didn't know she was also adopting a new passion for and interest in adoption and international adoption issues. But ever since she wrapped her arms around her sweet little girl, she's been drawn to adoption-related stories - and formed a few opinions along the way. She'll share these and write about her own experiences as an adoptive mom - and just an ordinary mom.
Don't worry, China Mom - you know one day she will appreciate all the Lunar New Year celebrations! And whether you think so or not, she'll remember even the ones she spent playing Angry Birds!