Of course we can't leave out our Gracie Jane

We met Gracie the second week we were there after we had visited with Dancho... she was in the northern part of Bulgaria and Dancho is more southern and east. As soon as she came in to the office where we met her.... she started to touch everything with a characteristic style of twitching her middle finger over things to discover them... she loved the cookies offered ( the whole box) stuffing them all in at once and then she began to discover the room again. It was obvious to us she had not been in that room ( the director's office ) before. She has the shiniest , think black hair with deep ,dark brown eyes that are very expressive.

She had some strong preferences and displayed them to us but always allowed us to show or share a toy, or a treat. She was more cautious with our touch at first than Dancho was but soon she warmed up to us. It was a diff. emotion watching and loving her.... we think that she may have institutional autism.... which also makes it be a diff. way to love her.... she was healthy and strong in her spirit. She acts and reminds us alot of our Isaac... who also had this. They said she was non verbal.... but we were able to hear her sweet voice say, momma and papa and even Dancho when she was shown the pictures of him on our computer....

She loved to look out the window ( a second floor one). We had to watch her though because she would try to throw objects out of them... it was like she was asking us to show her the world... to take her out of this prison she found herself in.... she drew us into her world ever so slowly but we were "hooked"

Her sweet little lips would purse up and make these sounds... she would do over and over the same note on this toy...no matter which day or if it was me or Paul playing with her...just seeing her delight in a toy was a joy... often when we brought a treat in paper ...she would play with that... but that is all these poor ones were allowed to play with... the trash they found.

And then she would surprise with a "connection"... she was making silly faces at me... the more I laughed the more she loved it. She also had taken my flip flops off herself and wore them and then placed them beside her.... as she entertained me :)

Our last day was a gift... she loved to be swung by us between our legs... and got very sad when it was time for goodbye... the director took her from this room and then returned and allowed her to walk us to our van.... she took my hand and practically ran ... pulling me to come follow. Immediately she climbed in and we all could see she thought she was going with us then.... the director who seemed kind took her and held her as we drove away....

Oh our sweet and speechless one we will be coming back and my heart leaps to hear your voice again and to feel your little fingers over and thru my hair.