It won't be the last time I ask for advice before we leave for China. (Which will not be on Thursday but might be in two short weeks!) But whenever I ask for advice good stuff always comes in so I keep doing it.
I have had two different adoptive parents tell me today that they were able to meet the foster parents through China Care. (Wow.) In one case the adoptive family was given a thoughtful handmade gift by the foster parents. Which makes me think that I had better whip something up to take with me, but what?
One of the families took handmade wool scarves which is a lovely thought in the cold northern reaches of China, but I have not knitted in years and I cannot undertake that right now. (Re-learning to knit. Cannot do that.) I could buy some handknitted wool scarves, and perhaps I will.
What else? I can sew. A bit. I can embroider. I am handy with a camera. I am plumb out of ideas. I have a pounding stress headache. K. is on the phone beginning our research into available flights. The stress level around here is ratcheting up as we speak.
Help me with some ideas. Please!
Posted by grrlTravels at January 22, 2008 9:02 PMTwo weeks? Wow, how exciting!
I like the idea that you already have: purchasing some (handknitted or woven or whatever's available) wool scarves. I suspect you have enough to do right now without taking on another project.
Posted by: jlp at January 23, 2008 1:43 AMCongrats on the TA - that's fabulous. I agree with jlp, don't take on another project go with the handmade scarves. And if you don't get to meet them, at least give them to the SWI to give to them. We gave an identical gift to the Director and hope she then passed them on to the foster family. I so hope you meet them!
Posted by: 3cmum at January 23, 2008 7:32 AMWe just got home from China with our son who was also fostered through China Care but in the Shanxi province. We had our guides set up a visit. While it was very scary to contemplate how that would affect our son seeing them again it was a very important visit. We did bring gifts but all store bought. We focused on lightweight packable stuff. We mostly gave money. We were not sure if it would be considered rude, but they are extremely poor and are raising two daughters so it felt appropriate. They did bring a gift for our son and for our daughter as well. Our agency did contact China Care before we left to make sure that the visit could be set up. Feel free to email me if you want more info on how it all felt. I am still processing it.
Posted by: Carrie at January 23, 2008 8:20 AMSince you are a photographer, I would put together a photo book to go with whatever scarves or sweaters you give them. It doesn't have to be fancy, but I know that they would like it. It could be photos of your family or of beautiful landmarks near your town. It would make them feel connected to your family and your son's future. Just use photos that you've already taken and put them in a nice album. There is a website somewhere that has labels in Chinese that you can print out if you like. (I wouldn't do photos of your home or material possessions. That might be misunderstood.)
We live near Niagara Falls, and I know that postcards of Niagara Falls have been very well received on all my trips to China. (Of course it is well-known in Asia, but still.)
Congratulations on your TA! Everything will happen so quickly now and you'll have your beautiful boy in your arms quickly!
Posted by: Jane Fisher at January 23, 2008 6:43 PMCongrats on your TA! That's terrific!
I'd second Jane's suggestion to bring a photo book. Your photographs are lovely, and I'm sure that the foster family would be overjoyed to have pictures of their foster son's new home and family.
I believe that the scarves you mentioned were knitted by me. They took a while to finish. I think that you're absolutely right in not wanting to take that on.
If you really want to bring something handmade you might ask around at a local yarn shop. They might have scarves or socks or maybe hats that were knit up as store samples that they would be willing to part with, especially if you tell them your story.
Have a safe and wonderful trip!!!
Posted by: k2 at January 23, 2008 8:08 PM