Talking to the girls is beautiful, intense, sweet, emotional, inspiring, energizing, unbelievable, sensory loaded, and Simply the BEST all at the same time! I shared a little about how we do it with a translator, let me share what the conversation feels like.
We decide to call our daughters so we start calling or texting our Spanish speaking friends to check on their availability. They are quick to provide their availability and we determine if it works. These women have been HUGE BLESSINGS in our lives by giving us the gift of communication with our daughters!
Then we make the call, once, twice, three times or more. The rings make our stomachs flip flop!
When we finally get an answer, sometimes days later and 3 ladies later, our translator introduces herself and us. I understand parts, I hear my girls name and ours, Mama & Papa! Then we hear the caretaker's enthusiasm, love that tone, intination and volume are part of communication, it makes you realize how much communication is more than words. We really rely on these with no visual or tactile connections.
Then we wait. Which one will get on first? Then we hear a raspy voice and hear which daughter. This last conversation both girls spoke emphatically. Both said I love you Mama and Papa, unprompted, a few times, and in English! These words are sweet.
It is hard to remember the whole conversation. Ben reminded me today that when Julissa got on the phone she said, "I miss you, I miss you, when are you coming?" I instantly remembered and realized that my focus was on the question and my frail attempt at answering her. I appreciate the words I miss you. We feel the same way, we feel like we miss them, and to share the same sentiment thousands of miles apart.
We are coping, we feel the prayers, we have had some great support. we also have come up with a Plan B, which would be a huge leap of FAITH, but at this point necessary for our daughters. Again, we appreciate the love and support from our various communities and friends.
Looking forward to sharing a picture of our Peruvian Princesses!
We decide to call our daughters so we start calling or texting our Spanish speaking friends to check on their availability. They are quick to provide their availability and we determine if it works. These women have been HUGE BLESSINGS in our lives by giving us the gift of communication with our daughters!
Then we make the call, once, twice, three times or more. The rings make our stomachs flip flop!
When we finally get an answer, sometimes days later and 3 ladies later, our translator introduces herself and us. I understand parts, I hear my girls name and ours, Mama & Papa! Then we hear the caretaker's enthusiasm, love that tone, intination and volume are part of communication, it makes you realize how much communication is more than words. We really rely on these with no visual or tactile connections.
Then we wait. Which one will get on first? Then we hear a raspy voice and hear which daughter. This last conversation both girls spoke emphatically. Both said I love you Mama and Papa, unprompted, a few times, and in English! These words are sweet.
It is hard to remember the whole conversation. Ben reminded me today that when Julissa got on the phone she said, "I miss you, I miss you, when are you coming?" I instantly remembered and realized that my focus was on the question and my frail attempt at answering her. I appreciate the words I miss you. We feel the same way, we feel like we miss them, and to share the same sentiment thousands of miles apart.
We are coping, we feel the prayers, we have had some great support. we also have come up with a Plan B, which would be a huge leap of FAITH, but at this point necessary for our daughters. Again, we appreciate the love and support from our various communities and friends.
Looking forward to sharing a picture of our Peruvian Princesses!
