On Thursday, we were invited to V and L's home so that she could show us how to cook a typical Bulgarian dish. We were excited to learn how to make a favorite of L's and have some time to spend with him. We went to the social worker's office first to meet the director, so she could gather her impressions of us.
When L showed up, he proudly handed us a family picture he had drawn for us. It was one of the most beautiful drawings I've ever seen. Not because he's a talented artist, but because he drew us all together, labeling Dan and I "dad" and "mom". He labeled the picture "The D'Orazio Family". It was beautiful that he already counted us as his family.
We went back to V's house and sat while she served us the best coffee that was a gift from her son from Milan. She served the kids hot chocolate that we had given her as a gift. This beautiful woman was serving us the best of everything in her own house! I tried to help her as much as she would let me, but she was insistent on being the hostess and us being rested and comfortable.
We sat with the social worker and translator while the kids played outside. This was such a significant conversation. We spoke about how appreciative we are that L is being taken care of so lovingly and how grateful we are that he would continue to be in their care until we could bring him home. They shared with us some of his struggles and some of his victories. They shared his heart with us and theirs. It was incredibly emotional. These women were giving us the best gift already, and still they gave us more.
The feast that followed was easily one of the best meals I've ever had. V opened her storeroom and brought out preserved vegetables and fruits that she was storing for winter. She did not hold back, offering us a taste of all of her stores. She even gave us a liter bottle of homemade wine! We were brought to the kitchen where she showed us how to make banitsa, a pastry made with filo, eggs, cheese, and yogurt. It was crazy how easy it was to make and she had me and B rolling up the filo and putting it in the pan by the end of the lesson. This gracious woman is also a brilliant teacher! We ate everything she put out and wanted more even though we couldn't possibly have fit anything else in our satisfied bellies.
She wouldn't hear of us helping to clean, and instead we were shooed out to the front patio to play a game ("bounce off") with the kids. We played while V and a friend cleaned up and then headed to the local field to play soccer and frisbee. This time at the end of our days was some of the best time. L seemed so happy and safe with us. He was affectionate and playful, opening himself up to us and letting us love him. A couple of times, he would tackle me to the ground just so we could lay together. I would stroke his hair and tell him I loved him over and over, and he just kept smiling and giggling and kissing my cheek. Such a precious boy!
When L showed up, he proudly handed us a family picture he had drawn for us. It was one of the most beautiful drawings I've ever seen. Not because he's a talented artist, but because he drew us all together, labeling Dan and I "dad" and "mom". He labeled the picture "The D'Orazio Family". It was beautiful that he already counted us as his family.
We went back to V's house and sat while she served us the best coffee that was a gift from her son from Milan. She served the kids hot chocolate that we had given her as a gift. This beautiful woman was serving us the best of everything in her own house! I tried to help her as much as she would let me, but she was insistent on being the hostess and us being rested and comfortable.
We sat with the social worker and translator while the kids played outside. This was such a significant conversation. We spoke about how appreciative we are that L is being taken care of so lovingly and how grateful we are that he would continue to be in their care until we could bring him home. They shared with us some of his struggles and some of his victories. They shared his heart with us and theirs. It was incredibly emotional. These women were giving us the best gift already, and still they gave us more.
The feast that followed was easily one of the best meals I've ever had. V opened her storeroom and brought out preserved vegetables and fruits that she was storing for winter. She did not hold back, offering us a taste of all of her stores. She even gave us a liter bottle of homemade wine! We were brought to the kitchen where she showed us how to make banitsa, a pastry made with filo, eggs, cheese, and yogurt. It was crazy how easy it was to make and she had me and B rolling up the filo and putting it in the pan by the end of the lesson. This gracious woman is also a brilliant teacher! We ate everything she put out and wanted more even though we couldn't possibly have fit anything else in our satisfied bellies.
She wouldn't hear of us helping to clean, and instead we were shooed out to the front patio to play a game ("bounce off") with the kids. We played while V and a friend cleaned up and then headed to the local field to play soccer and frisbee. This time at the end of our days was some of the best time. L seemed so happy and safe with us. He was affectionate and playful, opening himself up to us and letting us love him. A couple of times, he would tackle me to the ground just so we could lay together. I would stroke his hair and tell him I loved him over and over, and he just kept smiling and giggling and kissing my cheek. Such a precious boy!
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