Judy's final thoughts

We left for the Baby Home and our last visit with mixed emotions today. All week we were so excited about each visit and couldn't wait for the time to come when Boris & Irina would pick us up. Yesterday in fact Mike mentioned that he wanted to go downstairs about 15 minutes before they were to arrive...just in case they were early. This way he said, we could have just a few extra minutes with Skip. Today however, while we were excited about seeing him, we knew it would be our last visit for a long time. Because it is also Mike's birthday today, Skip had a special gift for his Poppa and as soon as we settled into our playroom, he gave it to him with a big grin. Mike opened the package and found a birthday card and a new winter scarf. He told Skip how much he liked the scarf and then read the card which was purchased here in Russia just for Poppa. It's funny but Skip, who is always so happy and active, sat seriously while his Poppa read the message.... "I will miss you Poppa and I know you will miss me. But, if you wear this around your neck it will keep your warm until you come back for me and I can put my arms around your neck forever." As strange as it seems, there is already this unmistakable bond between Mike & Skip and to see the two together is just incredible. Despite my best efforts, at one point this morning when Skip stopped playing and just put his head on my shoulder and smiled, I began to cry. I held Skip and told him we'd be back as soon as we could and then as if he knew what I was saying, he hugged me and smiled. A few days ago the Caretaker mentioned Skip has been watching the door all week - waiting for us - and today it was me that kept watching the door - hoping the caretakers wouldn't come and say it was time for him to take his nap. Even when they did enter the room and we knew it was time to say goodbye, I asked Mike not to hand him over until they asked for him....just another minute longer...just another minute..... Of course they did finally ask for him, and they had Skip say "Pa-ka" and throw kisses.... We watched him go and then reluctantly began to gather our things....We put our coats on and and Mike checked the room to be sure we had everything and then before shutting the door behind us, put on his new scarf..... We didn't speak until we outside in the bitter cold. "Are you cold?" I asked him as we walked toward the car, "No" he answered, "I have my new scarf".......