A Chinese-American Story of Love (Update 1-Year)
By Douglas Wagganer


	The seasons change, holidays come and go quickly, and soon time passes from tomorrow into yesterday. I last wrote about my daughter "Maribeth" in April, now it is November. Oh where has the time gone? Since last writing little Maribeth has grown and developed into a health toddler of two years old. She loves to explore new things and has become an affectionate loving child.
	
	Over the summer of 2002, Jane and I took her to the International Hunter Education Conference in Springfield, Missouri and on a family vacation to Sanabel Island, Florida. I am very active in the Hunter Education Program here in Missouri, so we annually attended the International Hunter Education Conference. This year in June it was hosted by the Missouri Department of Conservation. Maribeth was the hit of the conference. She wore several brightly colored hunter orange outfits, swam in the hotel pool every day and was introduced to all the conference representatives, which came from every State and Province in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. She was a true International Representative at this year's conference.

	Our second trip was to Florida for a ten-day family vacation on the beach. Maribeth did not care much for the ocean waves too much, but she loved the hotels swimming pool. She can swim like a fish in water. The sun made her skin darken and shine. She smiled at everyone and made friends with nearly all who came in contact with us. I felt very proud to be her father and have been honored with many comments of praise about Maribeth's good personality and her good public behavior. My daughter has made my life a happy and compete one this past year. I enjoyed our time in Florida and now realize the true meaning of what a  "Family Vacation" is all about.

	On Saturday, September 28th, 2002 Maribeth celebrated her second birthday. We spoiled her with presents and shared a nice birthday cake together.  We had several autumn photographs taken a few days before her birthday and I have included them along with this article. I might be a little bias being her father, but I think she is just a precious little doll.

	She was also really cute this Halloween, when she dressed up as a little Lion and went trick or treating. I pulled her around in a wagon at the Mid-Rivers Mall Shopping Complex for two hours. She would say "Roar, Roar" and giggle as we went from store to store collecting candy. It was quite a sight and a fun night for us to share.

	Now do not think I forgot to celebrate the Moon Festival. We had our moon cakes and paid our respects and tried to make all the observations of that traditional Chinese holiday event. Maribeth even ate a special moon cake given to her by her Aunt Mae Yueh. Maribeth and I stopped by at the St. Louis Chinese American Newspaper Office one afternoon a few days before the Moon Festival and our gracious editor lady honored my daughter with a little moon cake to take home. On our way home that afternoon all Maribeth would repeatedly say over and over was "Mae, Mae, Mae, Mae, Mae, Mae". I think Maribeth really feels a connection with Mae Yueh. It is probably because they both share the same gentle spirit and have kind souls within their hearts.  

	Gotcha Day for our family is on the 18th of November. That is the day we meet our daughter for the first time and we got each other as a family. We will have a party and make that day special in our hearts forever. It is hard to believe an entire year has come and gone. Maribeth is such a deep part of our lives that I cannot even remember what it was like before she became our daughter. She is 34 inches tall, thin built at 24 lbs, has small tiny petite features, smooth soft creamy skin, and dark soft straight hair. Maribeth appears to be extremely intelligent. She loves to sit and have books read to her. Plus, she loves to examine things closely and has a strong sense of curiosity about things she comes in contact with. That little angel from Hunan, China is a happy child with two very happy parents.

	All three of our lives changed forever last November. We all have a growing love for China, and each of us enjoys the rich splendor the Chinese culture. We will have many rough roads ahead of us, but with our many friends we will all learn and grow together. I will write further updates again soon. 


Douglas Wagganer
St. Charles, Missouri