Last week Claire and I were invited to go to a local children’s museum along with two other ladies and their children. After the museum, we headed to the Chinese supermarket – something we all love to do not just because it is fun to share in our childrens’ heritage, but because it’s always fun to pick up yummy things to eat. Anyway, while I was off scouring the bean aisle another mom ran to get her camera to capture a funny shot of the kids. I came over to see what was so funny and saw this:
This, is in and of itself, funny and cute, eh? I do love watching Claire bond with her friends, especially when smashed in a grocery cart - no one wanted to be left out!
But for Claire, in particular, my mind instantly flashed to this image:
This ain’t her first rodeo – in a grocery cart, anyway. When she was 3 Claire was part of a fund raiser for her orphanage. I don’t know the particulars of the event (maybe someone out there who knows more can fill me in on the details!) we just have a few snapshots. I do know that it is funny that life repeats itself now and again. I mean, what are the odds that I would have a picture of my daughter, before she was my daughter, crowded in a grocery cart in a Chinese supermarket, only to unintentionally find her in a parallel circumstance two years later? I realize it’s not a big deal. But to me, somehow, for some reason that I can’t quite put my finger on, it’s kinda cool.
March 30th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Sandy, I was at this fundraiser. The store was Auchen. First for those of you that have never been to Auchen, it is like Black Friday EVERYDAY! The store had made a cake that ran for several aisles. The cake was being sold for I think 5 RMB per slice and then the money was being donated to the orphanage. The kids ended up in grocery carts because with so many people rushing the cake. It was scary for the kids. The older kids helped collect the money but the little kids just tried to not get trampled. The highlight for them was having KFC after the event. For many of the children this was the first time that they had eaten a chicken burger. They had no idea how to do it. It was very fun watching them try to figure out how to handle it.
March 31st, 2011 at 6:41 pm
It makes me a little weepy when I think of what she’s been through (and all those for whom the orphanage experience is so much worse than Claire’s experience was). I’m so happy for you that you found her, and for her that she was found. This time, in this shopping cart, she belongs. Nothing in the world matters more.
April 4th, 2011 at 3:52 am
I too remember that day and yes Effie is right, CRAZY busy at Auchen!!! The cake was huge, the kids were in awe and we were just trying to ensure, like Effie mentioned that they didn’t get trampled by the mobs! Such an incredible journey Claire has been on….