Neha exists, and she is wonderful

She is real! And quite big, but no that is not the real size of her feet.  She has abnormally large shoes on her normal sized feet.

This was the most amazing day I think I have ever experienced in my whole life.  A little girl that does not know much if anything about us woke from her nap, and scurried around the room trying on 3 pairs of shoes trying to prepare to meet her parents. ( we know this because we arrived at the end of their nap time and were able to watch her get ready via video cameras in the office where we waited for her)  She took herself potty ( squatting on the floor in the bathroom) chose her clothes, changed her shoes (multiple times), got dressed with the help of her ayah in multiple layers ( everyone here in Chandigarh is assured that it is freezing here, we disagree), got her crazy behead brushed, picked her favorite winter hat and scurried out the door.  We were watching her on the cameras and realized what was happening (she was approaching quickly from another room) and we headed out the door to greet her in the entry of the orphanage.  Now what happened next what straight from a dream, a very good dream.  I was secretly hoping she would not be afraid but I knew as kids go things were to be very unexpected and not to get my feeling hurt if she wasn't quite sure what to do.  This little girl who has spent everyday of her life in an orphanage with little affection showered upon her almost knocked me off my feet.  She straight up bowled me over.  She ran around the corner into my sight and ran into my arms and hugged the hell out of me.  Smiles and giggles wrapped my neck hard and it was amazing.  She is precious, she is fast moving , and she is happy.  Life is good.  What can I say.  The communication was a little difficult, but nothing a little game of duck, duck goose couldn't fix.   

There are approximately 12 kids in Neha's immediate play group. Kids that she has grown up with and known almost forever.  Neha first showed us her bike riding skills with one of the tricycles they have at the orphanage. I will say she will be the first of my children that can functionally pedal a bike.  We gathered with her friends in the play room and got to know what her life is like.  Snotty little, adorable Indian children flooded us.  Interested in everything about us we played Ring Around the Rosie,  tag, and Neha gorged her little butt on candy.  We had brought some Dum Dums for the kids and she smuggled a few, then she arrived with more candy and offered it to us.  The entire time we were there she was trying to manage playing games with her fist full of candy.  Junk food junkie here we come.

We played for an hour or so. Hugged many times.  She likes Papa and Lucy. We could not be more elated with this first encounter.  The orphanage is not available to provide us with the final paperwork today since it is the weekend and a holiday (new years eve).  We are not able to have take Neha until Monday but we had arranged today's special meeting because I simply could not wait.  We will return first thing Monday morning and release her into our lives and out of the orphanage.  Today was nothing short of a godly experience and I feel like I need to thank him. Not normal practice for me, but what can I say, you gotta recognize godliness. thank you god , thank you universe, thank you Ms Sood, thank you sweet Neha for being you and for being truely amazing. We will see you again on Monday and forever more.