A visit to Changzhou CWI

Today was a day of mixed blessings.  We got up early to go to the Changzhou CWI.  The trip was about 2 hours on the interstate.  When we arrived, the CWI had a big sign outside lit up welcoming us and TJ back to the CWI.  We were met by the director and Mr. Wu who were both happy to see TJ.  He wasn't wearing his big heavy coat, so of course, everyone wanted to know if he was cold.  We offered it to him numerous times, but he didn't want to wear it.  We had it in the van just in case.  I think he just wanted to show off his new clothes! 

We went into the CWI and were shown the Half-the-Sky Big Sister's room and the Little Sister's room.  They were very nice and brightly decorated.  Then we went by the baby room and saw a number of babies in their cribs.  Next was the toddler room.  There were lots of little ones standing in their cribs. 

Then we got to go up to visit with TJ's foster family.  We didn't know that he even had a foster family until the day we met him.  It was SO nice to meet his foster mom and foster dad.  They are an older couple that live in the CWI and take care of four kids.  TJ was the oldest, they also take care of two four year olds (a boy and a girl) and a littler one.  TJ said that he wanted us to adopt the four year old little girl!!!  Break a mama's heart.  I asked about her, but she is not on the shared list at this time.  The little boy is on the shared list.  His SN is a repaired cleft lip.  I was unsure if he has a cleft palate or not, but it sounded like he did not.  We got to see TJ's room which he shared with the 4 yr old boy and his study room.

After that, we went to a private dining room and had lunch with the director, Mr. Wu, TJ's foster mom and a couple of TJ's teachers.  There was a LOT of food and we ate to our heart's content.  It was a wonderful lunch with time spent sharing about our family and asking questions.  GW mentioned that the food at his CWI was "horrible"  and that the food at Changzhou CWI was really good.  Before we left the CWI, we took a picture of him on the playground equipment where his referral photo was taken.  I've uploaded (or tried) both pictures (the red coat is referral, the blue coat was today).  What a difference!!!

From there, we got to go to TJ's elementary school.  They knew we were coming, so the teacher kept the children in the classroom during their normal break time so they could see TJ and wish him well.  We walked upstairs to the second floor where TJ was in the first class of the second grade.  We met his regular teacher and his math teacher.  All of the children had bought a gift for him to wish him well.  Both teachers also gave him gifts.  And finally, his classmates had all written well-wishes on paper and they were in a little gift box for him.  We were also told that his CWI threw a party for him before he left and they took pictures.  His caregiver showed me some of the pictures they had taken.  They will be e-mailing the pictures to us so we can print them out for him.  Finally, we had bought candy for all of TJ's friends and he was able to hand it out to all of his schoolmates before we left.  You should have heard the shout for joy when their teacher told them what we had!!!

While this was absolutely wonderful for TJ, it was heartbreaking for me and GW.  GW was not able to have any of this before he left his CWI.  They wouldn't let us take pictures of him and his friends and his school was out for Chinese New Year.  In the middle of all of the festivities at TJ's school, I stepped out with our guide and asked her to tell GW that I was so sorry that he wasn't able to visit his teacher and friends at his school.  All three of us were crying within moments.  I was able to stand next to GW with my hand on his shoulder and cry with him.  A little bit later Baba came up and just hugged him from the side.  He did not pull away, but let Baba stand next to him and hug him.  I certainly hope that he understands how much it hurts us when he is hurting.  On our ride back to Nanjing, I sat next to him for a while, just to let him know that I was there for him.  I also had our guide tell him that we would send a book and camera to his school so his friends could write well-wishes for him and they can take pictures for him to have.  I hope that will at least make up for some of the loss that he has experienced. 

After we left the school, we went by the Train Station where TJ was found.  He was more than willing to get out and walk around with us there.  It is a huge area and certainly an easy place to become separated from the people you know.  There were lots of people around so a good place to be lost and found. 

It was a very emotional day today for me.  I am so glad we did this for TJ.  I just wish we could have done the same for GW.