Did He Just Say That?

     Normally I write about Beloved Child and my journey parenting a teen soon to be leaving home for college.
     Not today though.   So many of you have written about the odd and disconcerting things that people say to you when they see you have a child who might be adopted.  Today was my day, but not with my child.

    I am not an avid yard saler on a regular basis.  This morning I went to the local farmer's market and then decided to stop by a yard sale that I had seen advertised.  I parked and walked down the long driveway, noticing that lots of people were leaving but no one was carrying anything that they had purchased (a sign that things are overpriced?).  I wandered around for a few minutes and then saw two little girls digging through a bin full of trolls.   Of course I had to stop and chat with them about the trolls and the hair color etc. and then with their mom who was standing nearby.  After a little chatting about the dolls and the other amazing things the little girls were finding, I asked about her girls, as one was blonde and the other appeared to be African or African American.  She told me that the younger one was adopted in Ethiopia.  Excitedly, I shared that several of my friends have sons and daughters from Ethiopia and that my own daughter is from China.  We engaged in the usual type of conversation that parents do when they have something like this in common - we talked about the waiting, the challenges, the countries etc. and then, (this is the odd part), an older man who was overhearing our conversation jumped in with, "Have you heard how the terrorists are using babies to bring in bombs and weapons to this country and that they put the bombs on them or in them so it doesn't hurt them?"
        He went on about babies and terrorists and bombs for a few minutes and then wandered off.  I looked at the mom and said something like "Well, that was inappropriate, especially in front of the kids."  She responded with "I'll have to think of what to say to people like that when they (the girls) are older and can understand."
        I wish I had thought to say to the man "What kind of idiot are you, saying that to a mom and in front of her kids?"   Really and truly, I am generally a polite person, but what can you say to someone who says something like this to you?  

     The mom and I continued to talk, her husband joining the conversation and we exchanged email addresses and moved on, but since the odd man's comments I have been thinking, "Did he just say that?"

p.s. another odd thing - the trolls.  If it had been my yard sale I would have been handing out those trolls to every little kid who came along, free for the taking.  The yard sale woman came by and said to the mom, "Those are collector's items. I really have to charge $5. a  piece for them."  $5. for a used troll?  Really.   I am stunned.
   

Beginnings

A new friend said, "Why don't you write a blog?".  My initial thought was that I wouldn't think anyone would read about my babble.  And then again, why not?

    I have been reading adoption blogs recently.  I think the reasons are many, but the biggest one is that my "baby" is getting ready to leave for college and I am feeling a mix of emotions.   It is time.  I would not do anything to hold her back from this next adventure in life.  I am thrilled for her and a little sad for me. College.  17 years ago I brought her home from China as a ten month old baby.  It was the two of us in the world.  Mama and daughter. Two girls in the tub, in the house, in the world.
And now, she is off. 

    When she was a little girl, wings were a part of every outfit.  She has a pair of white wings that were worn with pajamas, dresses, leggings and just plain underpants.   My girl could FLY!   We read stories about fairies (and later about broomsticks and Quidditch), we had a resident fairy leaving mysterious notes to be found throughout the house.  Wings were essential wear to the grocery, for a walk through town and on the playground.

     Now her wings are spread, if not visibly, at least psychologically.  College applications from all over the country are spread on her bed.  She is in Spain for a term.  Last summer she worked away from home. Last Fall she sailed to the Caribbean for 10 weeks.  All in preparation for leaving home. She is standing on the edge of adult life with her wings outspread.  Yes, she is wearing wings, again.