We met the family for breakfast in our hotel. Maelyn’s uncle also joined us, as did the nieces we had met the night before. The mood was definitely more sombre. Everyone could feel the goodbye coming, but we were all trying to ignore it. Ailee, thankfully, was feeling better and able to join us.
Amy, one of the nieces, braided the girls’ hair and kept them entertained, once they were done eating. While they were eating, Maelyn’s big sister fed Maelyn again and Maelyn’s mama fed Ailee. We all chatted about China and Canada and the fact that it was snowing in Wannian County – something that rarely happens. We joked that us Canadians brought the weather with us!
Once we were done breakfast, we went up to our hotel room for about 20 minutes for more of a visit. Then it was time to say goodbye. Paul and I felt like our hearts were ripping out and that we were saying goodbye to a family that we already loved. I cannot even imagine how Maelyn and her family were dreading this moment. It was very, very difficult. Ailee played with Ella at this point so that we could concentrate on Maelyn’s needs and so that Ailee wouldn’t feel stressed out by the situation.
Maelyn’s mom gathered her in a hug and kept caressing her face, giving her advice and good wishes for her future. She started crying and you could see she was starting to feel panicky about saying goodbye. The tears started to flow for everyone, including our guides. Everyone hugged and expressed love for one another – and our tears did not need any interpretation. We all knew what the other was feeling at that moment. We promised that we would return and spend more time visiting with the family. Maelyn’s mama kept coming back to her and it was very hard for her to leave. Her family had to guide her out – and down the hallway she kept calling out to Maelyn, telling her she loved her and that if she ever needed her, she would be there. The three of us went into the hotel room and cried while holding each other.
The tears flowed on and off throughout the day. I actually didn’t know if I could get on that bus and leave, the pull was that strong. When we did eventually get on the bus and it pulled away from Maelyn’s hometown, my heart physically ached and the three of us held hands and silently wept. Although in our head we know that Maelyn needed to come home with us and that she is also our daughter and would not know how to function in the environment of her birth home, the guilt of having her while they do not, was quite intense.
The bus ride was about two hours long and it helped to give us some time to calm down and think more logically – that we will be back, and soon, to connect once again with this loving family.
We got to the airport and boarded our flight for Beijing. We arrived quite late at our hotel, so the kids were beyond tired. Our hearts and bodies were ready for a rest.
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