More than three and a half years ago, a young mom came in to tour our program with her parents. Within seconds, I could tell that I was giving the tour more for the grandma than for anyone else. She spoke only Chinese, but I spoke directly to her in English, allowing time for the mom to translate. Grandma had many questions, but mostly she was interested in watching me carefully, from how I spoke to the mom, to my coworkers, and -- most of all -- how I interacted with the infants who swarmed around my legs, curious about these strangers. In the end, I won a big smile from Grandma and the family chose to enroll their baby in our program. He had been cared for at home by Grandma and Grandpa, but it was time for them to return back to China and they needed to find alternative care. Their love for the baby was palpable and words cannot express the weight of responsibility I felt in taking that baby in my arms. Over the years, messages have been passed from myself to Grandma and back again, via this now-preschool-age boy and his mom. The little boy speaks to his Grandma and Grandpa almost daily via Skype, but has not seen them in person for two years as the trip from China to California is too taxing at their age. This week, he is bouncing out of his skin with excitement, preparing for his very first trip to China! Last night he told me, with the sweet, pure sincerity of an almost-four-year-old, What I will like the best is seeing my Grandma and Grandpa, and hugging them so, so tight. I miss them every day.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 15:14:50 +0000
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