Sharing a day in the life

Yesterday was one of those days that I am reminded of how amazing this experience has been for me. It was a beautiful sunny day in Antigua. I gathered Mia in the carrier and walked to Café Condessa for my morning coffee. We walk by the prison every morning and over the last couple of days, I noticed a half-smile from the guard on the roof holding a very large machine gun. For the first time, he actually asked me the name of my baby. It made me smile. Ruth, the street vendor, was walking on the other side of the street. She said hello and asked when my husband would be returning because she has a nice gift he can buy me and she will give him a very special price. The waitresses at Café Condessa hold Mia while I look at a few used books in the front area of the restaurant. Mia and I then do our usual walk through central park and stop to look at the fountain. She loves when the water splashes. She clenches her fists and kicks her legs whenever we get close to the water. I´m certain she was a fish in her past life. On our way back, we stop at Dona Luisa for a scone and a loaf of banana bread. Mia is beginning to fall asleep and I´m excited to start the new book I just bought. We walk back to the apartment and Mia’s little friends are sitting on a blanket in the middle of the grass. I stop and chat for a minute and then bring Mia inside for her nap. I start reading and Mia sleeps. After a few chapters, I feel a tug on my ponytail. It is her way of telling me she is awake and ready for her bottle. It always makes me laugh. I’m trying to take it all in and remember how fortunate I am to be doing this with her.
When I decided to foster I was a little worried (okay, a lot worried) about what it would be like to spend time in Guatemala. Most people would agree that this is a pretty big leap for me. I thought about not only living in a new environment, but being a first time mother pretty late in the game. Dennis and I talked at length about what this would mean for both of us, but I now realize that we didn´t even begin to understand. The biggest gift I have been given during this time (other than my beautiful daughter) is an appreciation for her culture that I can share through a first hand account, tons of pictures, journals and relationships that we have made together on our daily walks. I remember when Dennis first said that I should look into fostering in Guatemala. It seemed so out of reach and impossible. It was the best decision I’ve ever made. I don’t remember ever being this happy…