December 5, 2001

Hi everyone,

I am back after 8 days in Ukraine. The trip was an experience for sure. I found a sweet 7 year old boy and committed to adopting him. The orphanage had never had a foreigner come to adopt, and was very excited. But after starting the paperwork, we found out he was not legally available for international adoption until March, and they probably should not have shown him to me. Meanwhile he is available for Ukrainians to adopt him.

I met a few other children in a second orphanage, but couldn't get Alexander out of my mind. So I decided to come home and go back in March hoping he is still there. The Nat'l Adoption Center was very clear that there are NO guarantees that he will still be there, but the orphanage in literally at the end of the road, very near the Russia border in the Donetsk region, so I am hoping he will still be there when I return. But if he gets adopted by Ukrainians, then that is wonderful for him, and I will start the search again.

Thanks to everyone who emailed me in Ukraine, it was wonderful to hear from you.