When you wish upon a Star.....

When I was a child, one of my favorite books was From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankwiler. In the book Claudia, a particularly precocious child, takes her brother and runs away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York City. Claudia chooses this location because, not only will she get away from her parents, but it will afford her the opportunity to learn, and see art from around the world. At one point in the book – The kids are running low on cash, and also in desperate need of a bath – So when the museum is closed, and the coast is clear – they take a bath in the museum fountain.  Upon entering the fountain – their toes uncover to their delight pennies, nickels, dimes, etc. The wishes of people who had thrown their change in the fountain. They will eat well that day.

I had the opportunity to spend several hours with 2 other orphans. These two are both 13 year old girls. One – the blond pictured above – We will call her Sweetie, and the other we will call Lanie. These two girls have spent the first week in the US with a host family – that was comprised of a single mom, who could not spend a lot of time with them, because she was working to support her family. Saturday – they were moved to a new host family. But for a few hours yesterday – they were all mine.

I am going to take a moment and tell you why I think America – at least the one I experience, is the best country in the whole world. We are bombarded by messages, all day, every day – that tell us we can achieve anything we set our minds to. Our teachers tell us this in school, our parents echo it in our ears while we grow up, Nike tells us – Nothing is impossible, and Just do it – We are programed every day to believe that our lives are in our control. We just need will and determination coupled with focus and hard work. We American’s do our part, and believe it! We believe it so much, that we manifest it in our lives. We become great things, we have a standard of living, and we simply don’t accept that anything less is going to happen.

I have found that this is not the same for my orphans. The two girls I spent Saturday with, came to me, in a timid state. Still very apprehensive about their time here, not feeling comfortable yet.  They were still scared to death. It broke my heart to see them this way, especially since my two Toli’s have spent the last week blooming!!! So without too much talk we headed to the mall.

We went to Southtowne – On one end of that mall there is a large fountain.  The fountain is just like any other fountain in America – full of shiny coins. Lanie looked at the fountain and in Russian said to Sweetie something to the effect of “Look at all that money” Sweetie’s eyes widen and she gaped at the money as well. For we have so much in America – that we think nothing of throwing perfectly good money in a fountain. I caught this interchange – and Kennedy and I grabbed a few quarters and with Zhenya translating explained the money was actually wishes, wishes that when you threw money in the fountain might come true.” Here” – we said “Close your eyes and wish for something you really want. When you have the wish clear in your mind, throw the coin in the fountain” Each girl took this task seriously. Taking the coin, closing their eyes, concentrating like crazy – and then tossing the coin into the fountain.

Now – It was my turn to try and make their dreams come true, at least a little. They had never been to a hair salon before. They had never felt the pleasure of having your hair washed. Never had a professional haircut. They were completely fearful, and guarded. With Zhenya paving the way with words of encouragement – the girls looked through books and each picked a picture of how they would like to have their haircut, taking the leap of faith, and putting themselves in the vulnerable position of getting their first haircut.

Sweetie went first, absolutely leaning in, enjoying every moment of getting her hair washed. It was perhaps the most luxurious feeling ever. Sweetie has very thick hair, and after what seemed like forever cutting, she was ready to be blown dry, fluffed, and sprayed. She turned around to see her reflection in a mirror with complete delight. She looked transformed, cute really, and sassy just like you imagine a little blond girl should look.

Lanie went next – she was still unsure, and I think a little more guarded about the experience. Lanie looks to have had a harder life. She is one of many children in her family. She has a sister that is 15 that is living in a completely separate orphanage. She has many older brothers and sisters, and a mother that is still living. None of them have come for her. They are all slaves to drugs and alcohol. Their rights to their daughter and sister terminated long ago. She is losing her hope. I was on a mission yesterday to try and give some of it back to her.  As she came back from the shampoo bowl, she still had a concerned look on her face. I am sure both the girls think I am crazy, because every time they look at me, I am smiling and encouraging with nods, and happy eyes.

The gentleman cutting her hair goes to work, with her back to the mirror. Cutting off years of dead ends, cutting away some of the lost hope, disappointment, and heart break – until after the last spray, tweak, and comb – he turns Lanie around to reveal her, to herself. Lanie can barely believe what is looking back at her through the mirror. Is this really her? Her hands fly up to her face – in shock and elation – her eyes welling up in tears. And in broken English exclaims – Thank You, Thank you!!!  I use my Google translate and tell her something I think only now, must be an American attitude – With a new haircut, anything is possible!!

We spend the rest of our time together shopping at Forever 21, which was met with the same gapping expression and smiles the size of the Grand Canyon – With each girl feeling like Cinderella at the ball. I left them in the very capable hands of my aunt Debbie – who was going to fulfill Sweeties biggest desire, which was to eat in a restaurant.  They still have 2 weeks left in the states – 2 weeks of hoping their wish to find a family comes true.

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Much Love - Jenn



PS: 10/13/2013 - Good News Update!!!! Both of the girls in this blog found homes and have been adopted and are back in America. The extra bonus miracle was when the family that adopted Lanie (real name Olena) went to Ukraine to her up - They found out that she had a sister that was available to be adopted as well. That family went to the orphanage and met her - Love at first sight - and they adopted her two. So let's be clear - because you forwarded my blog 3 teenage girls have been saved - You did it!!!