The First Days

It has been a busy few days since Anes, Adis and Aldina arrived in Indianapolis...but I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I thought you all might like to have a quick summary of details regarding the last few days...so read on to see what they have been up to.

After all the commotion of Thursday's arrival, they were able to get a little rest and go out for an early dinner with Caiden and I at CHAMPS in the downtown mall on Friday late afternoon. We also swung over to Brookestone to pick up the "European to American" adapters they needed for the laptop and cell phone they brought with them to stay in contact with family back home. I was glad that it turned into an easier task than I thought it might be...success at the first store we tried! We then headed to a big box store to pick up some food items for them to have at the Ronald McDonald House and a couple more pieces of clothing since their bags had not yet shown up. Then it was back to Jon and I's house so Anes, Adis and Aldina could meet Avery. We enjoyed our time together and getting pictures of the kids together. It was so cute! Anes can steal your heart as quick as lightening! He will "kiss" you back when you make the kissing sound for him. I mean...there is not a heart he won't melt!

By Saturday, 2 of their 3 bags had arrived...so they had a majority of their "stuff" finally. They came over to our house again, this time for dinner and more time together. They showed us many pictures of Bosnia on our home computer and share more facts and information about their country and culture. Did you know that the world's largest pyramid is in Bosnia and was only discovered a couple years ago? We were amazed to learn so much from them! Bosnia is a beautiful country and so are it's people. After dinner and our time together, we made some calls to find the still missing 3rd bag. Within a couple of hours, it too finally showed up. So, the shoes and such made it after all!

For Sunday, we made plans to go to the zoo and we had a great time! We enjoyed a long walk from the RMH to the zoo. We took time to see the Oceans, Plains and Forest exhibits and to talk and learn even more about each other....and to enjoy some ice cream cones! Anes, loving the milder weather that Sunday brought and the walk in his stroller, slept through all of the zoo! He was adorable doing it too! We then walked back to the RMH, stopping to takes some great pics of Adis and Aldina with the Indianapolis skyline in the background and some great group shots...and of course several more cute pics of Anes. We took a short break back that the house, so Anes could eat and we all could rest or legs, and then we went out for pizza at Jon and I's favorite Irvington pizza spot. It was such a beautiful evening that we sat outside and enjoyed the evening together. When we finished dinner, I took them back to the RMH and visited a little while longer. We talked about the next day, the EEG, what to bring, etc... and the schedule for the morning. Aldina invited me to help her give Anes a bath, which was a lot of fun even though he doesn't like the bath time much :) After he was all settled in his PJ's, he and I played for a few more minutes, because I can't leave until I get a few Anes' giggles and a "kiss". We all said good night then...knowing that tomorrow was going to be an early morning and busy day.

It has been nothing short of amazing...to learn more about Anes, Adis, Aldina, and Bosnia these past few days. They are easy people...kind, caring and proud of their county. Just as we are here. In our talks, we have done a lot of comparing and contrasting our countries and cultures. It has been eye-opening and educational. They have shared so many insights and comments with me, that I can not put them all down here...but instead offer just a few. They are amazed at the outright kindness that they have experienced from the people here in Indianapolis...the staff at the house, strangers at the stores and on the streets. They have commented how different it is to go out here than at home in Bosnia, because people here do not stare at Anes or Avery and because the restaurants went out of their way to help meet the needs of our children in their big strollers. At home, they do not take Anes out to places like this. They shared that the doctors are different here...more kind and caring. In Bosnia, many of the doctors are corrupt and expect gifts or money to treat them. They we so surprised to see Dr. Cohen at the airport...and could not believe that this type of caring was coming from a doctor they did not know. There is no public schooling for children with special needs. Only private ones, but only in bigger places like Sarajevo...not at all in the small cities. There are no places for weekly therapies. Aldina does with Anes at home what she learned from the little bit of physical therapy he received in Kosevo Hospital. Any equipment he has, they pay for...as there is no insurance to cover those things. There are no Medicaid waivers, Medicaid disability, etc. Yet, none of this is shared in a complaining fashion...just an "it is what it is" way of explaining and a real proudness of who they are and of Bosnian culture. It makes my heart hurt for Anes, because he deserves what my child gets...what any other child here in America gets. Still, he knows love. Profound love. And he is so well taken care of...every need met. Of course, that is not a surprise. Is there greater love than that which brings parents on a 15 hour journey, across the seas, to a foreign land, in the name of hope and for a chance to save their child? I doubt it.

It is importatnt to note that, for all we have that is good and right here in America, they too have things that are good and right in Bosnia. There is more emphasis on family togetherness and less materialistic things. Because they do not have so many excesses, they seem to appreciate what they have better. It was interesting to hear from Adis that the plate of food that he received at CHAMPS was as much food as they eat in a day. Of course, we all know that American portions are out of control at most restaurants, but this observation made me think about the excesses that we "enjoy" here, that ultimately, are not always in our best interests. The bottom line is that they are happy, caring, loving, gracious, proud and very easy-going. A great lesson for me....for many. Someday, I hope to get the honor of visiting them in their home and learning even more of Bosnia and seeting Anes growing and developing.

Thank you, sweet little Anes, for sharing your journey and for sharing your parents and your country with all of us. I feel so privileged to know you and to know the strength and love of your family! Be blessed little man...I love you! May you have the chance you deserve, that your parents deserve.

Everyone, please continue your prayers in earnest for Anes in the days to come.

In Hope,
Holly