Orphanage Day Three-Saying Goodbye

On Wednesday June 22 we began our day with a little sightseeing. We visited the Udaygiri and Khandagiri Caves in Bhubaneswar. They were abosolutely amazing and date back to the 2nd Centry BC. They were also the home to many families of wild monkeys. What an experience!

Then it was back to the orphange for the last time. Laxmi Priya arrived again to the screams of delight from her friends. It was lunch time so Chris and I got to bypass the formalities and head straight up to visit with the children. They were excited to see us again and anxious to see what auntie and uncle had in their bags today. We tried to take pictures with an old poloroid camera. This was a big hit but after the old camera shut down we moved on to passing out glow bracelets. These were also a hit and by now we were a giddy from the excitement and the heat. One of the very nice office staff came to me and asked if we needed a rest. I told her know that we were fine. I got an unhappy head nod and she repeated herself while motioning that we follow her. Come to find out we were being given a time out, a mandated rest time for the auntie and uncle so the kids could calm down and take a nap. Oh well, the fun was worth the trouble and besides isn't that what all aunties and uncles are supposed to do? (Our Uncle Lee has taught us well)

Once we realized we were being sent to rest before paperwork time we said our goodbyes to Laxmi Priya's friends and caregivers. You could see and feel the mixed emotions all around. My heart ached with all the emotion.

We hung out in the visiting room for our rest hour but after about 45 minutes some of the older kids came to visit. We had fun laughing and talking with them, many of whom shared details of their new adoptive families. Laxmi Priya enjoyed the company of the older children and seemed to feel right at home with them. The warm feeling of community was once again apparent in the way all the children interacted with each other and with us.

Finally our "rest period" was over. We went to the paperwork room and recieved Laxmi Priya's passport and the rest of the necessary documents. We talked a bit to the social worker about her background and received a life book put together for her by the orphanage. We said our last goodbyes and drove out the big gate.