An Angel

This is Valera's "aunt" Lana (not Georgia like I thought....translation is everything).  She is Valera's biological father's cousin.  She is an angel in my opinion.

I think it's natural for all of us to think about orphans and wonder "isn't there any family member or friend who could take care of these children?"  I admit I have asked myself that question.  It's easy to do in the comfort of my neighborhood, city, state, and country.  I think you would have to come to Ukraine to see for yourself how these kids stay in orphanages.  The economy is so different here. 

At any rate, I sat across from Lana at a Chinese food restaurant tonight and shed tears of gratefulness.  Although Lana wasn't able to take Valera in as her own, she did what she could for him.  She has visited him at the orphanage every 2-3 months.  She has brought him candy and gifts.  She has loved on him.  She has "shown up" for him in ways that no other relative has.

For that, I am forever grateful.  Lana gave us a lot of information that I am so thankful for.  We hugged goodbye and held onto each other's hands.  Anya translated for us.  I thanked her for loving him and caring so much about him.  She thanked us for all that we are doing. 

Her final words to me were "He needs a lot of compassion.  He has had a hard life." 

Lana, I will hold those words in my heart forever.