Letters to Lily

I have mentioned that while in China, we received a beautiful photo album from Lily's Orphanage. Inside the front cover were several written entries to Lily, from her nannies and her foster mother. Last week I took the album into CCAI for translation. This morning, I received the english versions of the messages to Lily. Once again, my heart has been moved beyond anything that I have ever felt before.

on the outside cover.....

Dear Child,
Welfare Institute is your forever home.
Let the fog envelope us as we welcome rosy clouds, with the wind and listening to the rain. In your warmest heart, anchored with our sweetest dream. In your broadest bosom, hovered our forever hope.....


and hand written inside....

*In your sky, your dream is just like floating clouds. You can keep the most gorgeous one.

*At the time you are leaving our big family, every "mom" who had cared and loved you in the past doesn't want you to leave. But when we thought about the irreplaceable warmth you are going to receive from a family, we all feel happy for you. No matter what you want to do when you grow up, never forget about the gracious rearing you receive from your parents. No matter where you go, you will never forget that your roots are in China. I sincerely wish you a healthy and happy life and a wondereful future.

*Love and gratitude are the life spring! Grow up healthy and joyful!!

*May the thanksgiving heart always accompany you and walk with you.

*I wish for you to grow up healthy and happy! Wish you will have bright and glorious future! Hopefully you will become a capable person and a blessing to society. Hopefully you will keep firmly in mind that you are Chinese and your homeland will love you forever!


Each one is signed, but I have left the names off. I wasn't going to post this because it is so personal to Lily. But I could not find a way to describe what was written to her. They are such beautiful and heartfelt words. We will keep them safe for Lily to read one day. We want very much for Lily to know all that we can share with her about her life in China. When she is ready, we will tell her what we know.

We will be forever grateful for our brave and beautiful girl.
Xie Xie China, for our daughter.