Adoption brings both joy and sorrow
“I am so happy that Bombay has a family…”
On Tuesday, 6-year-old Bombay was adopted. When I found out, I immediately thought of my 20-year-old friend Kelly from Auburn, Washington. Kelly has spent a lot of time at the Orphanage, more than many gringos. A month at Christmas, several weeks during past summers - in that time Kelly has grown very attached to Bombay. Last summer, she teased that her boyfriend would need to get used to the idea of her adopting Bombay. It was only a joke, and yet…
When I got the email, I forwarded it onto Kelly. Her response said so much:
My emotions are so confused. I am so happy that Bombay has a family but I’m really sad that I wont see him any more. Do you know anything about the family who adopted him?
When a child is adopted from the Orphanage, or when his parents come to bring him home, it is a bittersweet time. There is a lot of love at the Orphanage. And that love is what helps the children to grow and thrive. But that love is also what makes it hard when a child leaves.
So as Bombay leaves us, starting his new life with a new family, we think of his smile (and his laugh, Kelly says). There will be more children that come and fill his spot…but they will never take his place in our hearts.
Kelly and Bombay, July 2005