Today has been a bittersweet day for all of us (Marine's writing today). As the clock keeps ticking down, I try to figure out what is going on under that way too mature and innocent face of Natasha. Michelle and I have been reading all of the posts on social media from other host families and seeing the angst and sadness and happiness and everything in between that they are experiencing as departure deadlines approach. Much like any other experience in life, the feeling that is occurring cannot be reproduced/explained/described unless you go through it personally. In four short weeks, this beautiful girl has wormed her way into the fabric of our lives and we are the better for it, not her. Imagine, this Project 143 is an avenue to enrich the lives of orphans from a war torn country and it’s us, we of the first world problems, that are fuller of heart and mind.
Today, Natasha had one final day with Michelle, just for a little while, one on one. They got to act like girls and get some nails done at a salon (thanks Poppy!). Natasha initially wanted some really long add-on nails that just weren’t appropriate. Apparently, Euro styles are a little different, hah! Eventually, she chose a vibrant blue with flourishes and designs. I can’t help but see the little girl in her when I peek at her new manicure and think that it reflects upon her personality.
Michelle and Natasha then met up with a friend who wanted to help her go shopping for some last minute items (thank you Clio!) at Target. I learned this a long time ago, but if you ever want to raise the spirits up on a girl, take her shopping and pay attention to her. Natasha was in shopping heaven for the second night this week and got herself some nice items to take home.
Michelle spent a good portion of the night downloading as many pictures as she could into a flash drive and ordering more prints from a Walgreens that they’ll be driving by on the way to O’Hare in the morning.
The boys made sure to give hugs and kisses to Natasha before bed and she got photos with Stephen before he left for work in the morning. As is her usual routine, Natasha gave an airy and quick “good night” to me and went upstairs for her last night in our home. I spent the next few seconds in introspection and wondered what the next few months would be like for her.
Michelle (as usual) was a rockstar and we have some plans in place for Natasha. The language barrier broke down as the weeks passed by, much like the emotional wall that was initially in place. It’s definitely not perfect right now, but I know that based on the connections we’ve made that there will be some stress as we worry about her settling back overseas. I can’t imagine how she must feel.
In the morning, Natasha and Michelle will drive together to Chicago for departure. I wish I could go along as well, but the boys need to be watched over and the ride would be just too much at this age. I am not sure how everyone will act as they realize she is leaving our house for “home”. The boys are resilient, they are somewhat used to teens coming and staying with us for extended periods of time. I think Hailey will miss her quite a bit and wish Natasha was still here messing up their room :). I will probably hold back some tears but get caught up with taking care of the boys and the house. It’s Michelle, the one that Natasha has bonded to the most (heck, she even looks like her daughter), that I predict will have the hardest time. Not exactly a shocking statement since she’ll be the one who is going to drive to the airport and stand in the terminal as Natasha gives her accented “good-bye”.
There will be a void left behind, but one that will be filled quickly because Michelle is already busy making plans to make sure that Natasha is taken care of. A mountain of tasks could be on Michelle’s plate, but if she has the chance to better the life of a child, she’ll add to the mountain. She has since she was a teen, she has since she was in her twenties, and she will do so for the rest of her life. That is the stuff that my wife is made of, and that is why I believe all will turn out well for our Natasha.
Thanks to all that have been along for the ride. We'll update more in a couple of days when we are sure of the future plans for her.
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