11 Feb 2007: Safely and Happily Home

From halfway around the world, over 28 hours from 4:30 a.m. wake-up call to touchdown in Boston at 7:00 p.m., we journeyed home with AiLi. Thanks to the vagaries of time zones, we departed China on Wednesday, February 7 and arrived back in North America on the same day. Considering the distance, her age and experience, AiLi did extremely well, awake most of the time but not disturbing any other passengers. Her sleepy mother spent the lion’s share of the trip with her daughter, with occasional respite care by Daddy Ira, Auntie Susan and Great Cousin Marilyn. (No upgrade this time, unfortunately, and we were seated in various locations around the plane.) By Chicago, our entry point to the U.S., we were all suffering from frayed nerves, exhaustion, cramped muscles and too many line-ups, but the voyage was relatively smooth with no airline delays, thankfully.

We were thrilled to be greeted at Logan by a surprise delegation of the Driscoll family: Karen’s brother Sean and his wife Joan, with daughters Siobhan (3) and Nora (1); and Karen’s brother Fran, who had just flown in from D.C. We were caught unprepared and so have no photos of this wonderful welcoming committee with their beautiful hand-made signs, smiling faces and warm, enthusiastic hugs. They also brought gifts and food, and made our arrival a true celebration. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness!!!!

As we have been getting over our jet lag these past three or four days, AiLi continues to thrive. She has had her first visit to the pediatrician, Dr. Whitman, who has diagnosed her to be in fine form and likely to make rapid progress both in terms of her growth and intellectual development. She is smiling a lot, imitating sounds, gestures and facial expressions with enthusiasm, learning to play with her toys and sleep in her own room. Her particular favorite is the toy piano, which provides ample opportunity for banging on the keys while producing beautiful music. (This was one of Daddy’s best finds at the exchange area of the Wayland dump, batteries included.)

Cousin Marilyn and Auntie Susan both left on Thursday, sorry to say good-bye to AiLi and feeling so lucky to have been included in this miraculous and uplifting experience. Like all of you, we will watch AiLi’s development with interest and affection, and hope that the opportunities to get together come often and come soon.

We love you, AiLi! Thanks for blessing our lives with your sweet presence. As Charles Dickens said, “It is no small thing to be loved by one so fresh from God.”

Auntie Susan