Avena's Christmas

Adoption is funny.

It is a matter of fact around here, everyone is adopted. Between taking care of foster children and adopting, we are used to loving other peoples children as our own. Our children are used to accepting other children into their lives as brothers and sisters.

But this one is different. Avena is 14. It may take another year for her to come home. But she is my daughter. I have never met her, but she occupies my thoughts and a piece of my heart. I can't imagine what she is going through. Well, hell, I can't imagine what her life up to this point has been like, but I am now referring to how she feels about us.

So it has been brought to my attention that I can send Avena letters, cards, photos and such. I guess I should have been doing this all along. So we all set out to write her a letter.

What do you say to a girl that you don't know?

Well, if you are Sammy you say this:

Dear Avena,
I'm happy you are coming here and I love my mom and my dad and my brother and my sister and I'm really happy you are coming here. I hope you have a nice Christmas and I hope you have a good time. I am 5 and I like playing baseball with my dad and like going outside and playing on the swing set with my brother and playing games with my family.
Love Sam

Johnley:
Dear Avena,
I'm happy you are going to be my sister. I have to sleep in my own bed. I like my mom and the rest of my family. The pool is closed now but I like to swim in it when it is open.
Love,
Johnley

And dear sweet Taishauna,
Dear Avena
Hey, I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I can't wait for you to come. We do all sorts of cool and fun things like ice skating and bowling. I am home schooled and we belong to a club called 4H and we do a whole lot of fun stuff. On December 4th we are having a food drive. The 4H club will collect food and it will be given to people who need it. We have two 5 year old brothers, one is Sammy and the other one is Johnley. He is from fontana Village in Haiti just like you. I don't know if you remember him. It would actually be good if you knew Johnley, this way you wouldn't be totally scared. You shouldn't be scared anyway. We don't bite. I am so glad that I am getting a sister. I am so tired of living with 2 brothers and no sisters. Ive always wanted a sister. I had a foster sister names Destinee a really long time ago before Sammy and Johnley were born. Anyway she was a foster child so she went to live with her Aunt in Texas and I never saw her again it was so sad. I am 15 years old. There are a lot of girls close to our age so you will have a lot of friends including me. I will never leave your side. I will always be there for you. We are going to share the same room. We have a trampoline and a pool and a swing set all in the back yard. Can't wait to see you.

From our sister Taishauna.
P.S. I love you