Home

So happy to see Mario... and he and Embakom are instantly best buds. Then to Ruthie's school to get Ruthie, who I missed terribly every second of the trip, and home at last. It's chilly, maybe +6, and we can tell that our newest Calgarian is not in the least bit impressed with that. He must think our house is crazy, as we're in the middle of a kitchen reno and confined to the upstairs, with a makeshift kitchen in the bedroom that will soon become Embakom's.

Ah well, we're cosy, the 4 of us in these 3 little rooms like sardines. Our space is about the size of his first family's hut, but with a TV - which he loves!!! And a play set in the yard - more love. And 2 big dogs - not so much love, but some things take time. And at last, after years of waiting, and wondering, time together is one thing we certainly do have lots of.

WARNING!!!

If at all possible - do not take a 4 year old on a 27 hour international journey. Especially one who you don't really know, and haven't spent more than a few days with, and don't share a common language with, and who has never worn shoes let-alone a seatbelt and who spends most of the time removing both from his body. Especially don't attempt to undertake such a journey with a child who spits at you and yells "imbee" (I refuse) loudly all through an overnight flight (I thought it was a good plan so he'd sleep) and also if possible not with a child who has stomach parasites so must use the washroom every half hour, or with a child who can squeeze under the security bars at Frankfurt airport that sport a sign saying "Entrance Strictly Forbidden", in
English and in German (Eintritt Verboten!!) which sounds scarier.
And if you can avoid planes with the screen on the back of the seat in front which the child will poke really hard for 5 or 6 hours causing the passenger in front to freak out, I'd advise you to do so. I'm just sayin'.

The Last Day in Addis

Our last day in Addis, and we spend most of it in play around the Guest House.

I make a short trip to Sabahar, a fair trade silk company that was created by a Canadian woman from Alberta’s Peace Country, because I’ve been moved by her story. I am not disappointed, as the silk factory is amazing, and the staff so friendly and interesting; they teach me so much about silk production and weaving, and about the changes one woman of vision can make in so many lives. Their website, http://www.sabahar.com/ tells the story, especially if you read the "meet the staff" section (under the “About Sabahar” tab).

Back to the Guest house for a last meal – appropriately traditional Ethiopian fare, and a coffee ceremony during which we say goodbye to the kind staff, and the incredible American group of moms who’ve offered support and camaraderie to Embakom and me.

Then to the airport, a short drive to think about all this little one is about to leave behind. It staggers my imagination to think how he will react to Canada and a life where everything, I mean everything, is different – I’ll know soon enough! It’s all starting to get real – this thing we’ve done and this small boy’s accidental role in our plan. Of the many paths that might have unfolded for him, here he is heading for a life in Canada, his small hand in mine, through no choice of his own. He’s such a brave little guy, eager to get on a plane, as any 4 year old would be, showing no reluctance about leaving his birth country. I wonder to myself how much he really understands about what lies ahead.