A Chinese-American Story of Love (Part V - section 5)

By Douglas Wagganer

All the Paperwork came back to us late on Friday afternoon. Maribeth Caitlin Wagganer was officially our daughter. As the old saying goes, "We even had the paperwork to prove it". The reality began to settle in that I was now a legal father. Like so many other Americans, I just had to see the paperwork for it to become a total reality for me. It was a wonderful moment and for that matter still is to this day.

Saturday was the day of our departure from Changsha, China. We left the Hotel with well wishes from several of the English speaking Bellboys. The bus ride out of town to the Airport was a quiet time. Sadness some how seamed to be in the air. Even thought everyone was ready to get to Guangzhou, China for our final stop in China, I think everyone in our group realized that for many of our new daughters that this was the last time they would see their home Province. Just before we arrived at the Airport, Julie our tour guide sang a lovely Chinese song of farewell to all our daughters. It was a sweet tune Chinese from a soft gentle voice that had all the babies listening quietly. I wish I had the name of song or a recording of it for my daughter to again here.

Check in at the Airport was a task. Airport Tax fees were paid and luggage weighed. Our entire group was over the domestic weight limit, so as the group leader I had to collect over 4,000 Yuan for our additional tax. It was then a dash to the terminal gate. Of course I had to stop at a gift shop and buy a set of Chinese Baby Primer Blocks for my Daughter. The cute little Animals and charming Chinese letter characters caught my eye as I was passing the display counter. I made the purchase, and was the last person to board the plane. My wife and Helen our Adoption Coordinator were a little upset about my sudden shopping and me nearly missing the flight, but the blocks were a big hit with Maribeth later that day, so the scolding I got at the time proved worth it.

Our plane was full and we were packed like little sardines in a can on that plane. Maribeth sat on my lap looking out the window as the plane began to taxi down the runway for take-off. It was then I gentle whispered in her little ears to say good bye to Changsha, China and to say good bye to Hunan Province, and some how she knew what I had said because she began waving her little hands back-n-forth in a good bye wave out the window. Everyone around us was surprised and amazed to see her responding in such a manner. I only held her a little tighter as the plane lifted off the ground. With a tear forming in my own eyes, I watched quietly as my daughter said her good byes to the Hunan Province.

This concludes Part V of our journey. Next week I will begin the next Part of this tale with our arrival in Guangzhou, China. Well, Till my article next week, everyone take care.