Momma's Girl

(posted for Reed and Lee Ann by Shannon)

When we first met Tarik there was a definite warm-up period, she did not just jump for us from the very beginning. She was wonderfully playful and even responded to us quickly, but all that could just be chalked up to her being a people person (which she seems to be). Yesterday (Monday), we basically did nothing but play and bond and through that time she did not show a real sense of needing either of us, and might have even preferred me (Reed) for much of the day. We know all kids are different and we weren’t sure when to expect a real bond to occur.

But something truly amazing has happened and it is the answer to many of your prayers and ours. It has been very clear all day that Tarik is completely in love with Lee Ann. It isn’t that she simply responds well to Lee Ann, she always did that, it is more that she needs Lee Ann in a way that any little girl should need her Momma. All day today, Tarik cries (hard) anytime Lee Ann puts her down – even for a moment. It is an amazing thing to see this little girl we hardly know reach up to Lee Ann to be held.

During our Compassion visit we were around several people who knew the Amharic language and looked and smelled a lot more like what Tarik was used to, but anytime someone else wanted to hold her, Tarik would make it abundantly clear that she wanted to stay with Lee Ann. We have heard that one major way to prevent some attachment issues is to make it very clear who the primary caregiver is so there is no confusion for the little child (remember, for Tarik’s whole life she has just gone to the person who happens to be working at the orphanage at the needed time). Even though I know we are just getting started on this journey, we are blessed that Tarik already finds a level of comfort and sense of home from the one person who will provide it for her most – her Momma. Thank you for your prayers.

More on the Compassion visit to come. And, as a final side note, as I write this Tarik is just picking up sign-language for the word “more.”