August is our 'catch-all' month.
It's that time of year when I tackle that list of unfinished projects or plan to do things our regular routine doesn't permit.
One of my biggest priorities was planning a trip to Elbasan. We hadn't seen our friends at the Sisters of Charity home since January.
But Nathan has done a LOT of driving this summer, and frankly, I think we all were tired from riding in the car for long distances (hence, our 'stay-cation' when we usually try to go out of town).
Last weekend though, Nathan broached the subject of scheduling the long-desired trip to Elbasan and a plan was made.
We were so glad we went! We started out with a coffee and play date at a local shopping center with some Albanian friends who had a baby in late June.
Then we swung by the orphanage and picked up Dyzi. If you've followed our blog for any length of time, you might remember her as Reni's self-appointed 'mama' at the orphanage. Her special love for Reni is a gift we'll always be grateful for. No doubt his healthy emotional state is due in large part to knowing that someone has always cared for him.
Now, though, he is a 7-year-old who has no memories before us, who doesn't fully understand the significance of her role in his life, in spite our stories and attempts at maintaining a relationship.
"You know how you always lift your shirt for us to scratch your back? You got that from Dyzi," we tell him.
We visit as we can, and bring pictures and tell stories of his latest accomplishments. And she tells us of the newest ones in the orphanage, and the ones who have families coming to adopt, and what they hear from those who have gone to their forever homes.
It was a special lunch together and before we knew it, it was time to get on the road back home before hitting the late afternoon traffic in Tirana.
Lord willing, it won't be 8 months until our next visit.
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