O' Tannenbaum
Last week, we did our regular family meeting using the speaking chair and the listening couch. We each took a turn on the speaking chair, saying whatever was on our minds.
Vika was the final person to sit on the speaking chair. She began by telling us things she didn't like: "Mama and Papa, I don't like when you talk to me in a loud voice," and "Eamon, I don't like when you say 'I'm not going to play with you.'" But then, she changed the tone and started saying all the things she was thankful for. Things such as, "Thank you for making the house all decorated," "I like when you make me and Eamon good food," and "I'm so glad you picked me up from Russia." After a very long list, she said, "Now I have a song for you."
Vika sat up really straight in the chair, looked quietly at me and Jeff, and began signing "O' Tannenbaum." She was so sincere and sang so sweetly that it was really quite touching. I looked over at Jeff, and he had tears in his eyes. She must have learned the song in kindergarten, and she was very proud to be able to share it with us as her own special "thank you."
It was like "A Charlie Brown Christmas," but without the droopy tree.
We are so proud of how far Vika has come over the past year and how she is slowly begining to overcome her grief over the loss of her Russian family. She is such a strong girl but she also has a tremendous capacity for love. We are thankful every day that she is a part of our family, and look forward to seeing the kind of woman she becomes.
Vika was the final person to sit on the speaking chair. She began by telling us things she didn't like: "Mama and Papa, I don't like when you talk to me in a loud voice," and "Eamon, I don't like when you say 'I'm not going to play with you.'" But then, she changed the tone and started saying all the things she was thankful for. Things such as, "Thank you for making the house all decorated," "I like when you make me and Eamon good food," and "I'm so glad you picked me up from Russia." After a very long list, she said, "Now I have a song for you."
Vika sat up really straight in the chair, looked quietly at me and Jeff, and began signing "O' Tannenbaum." She was so sincere and sang so sweetly that it was really quite touching. I looked over at Jeff, and he had tears in his eyes. She must have learned the song in kindergarten, and she was very proud to be able to share it with us as her own special "thank you."
It was like "A Charlie Brown Christmas," but without the droopy tree.
We are so proud of how far Vika has come over the past year and how she is slowly begining to overcome her grief over the loss of her Russian family. She is such a strong girl but she also has a tremendous capacity for love. We are thankful every day that she is a part of our family, and look forward to seeing the kind of woman she becomes.
Oh Jenni, that is such a wonderful story. She is so precious, and your family is so very special. I am so grateful for to adopters like yourself who keep the blogs going, share their stories and snippits of thier lives. I may be a little further away from adopting than I would like, but blogs like yours keep my hope alive. Thank you for your Vika and Eamon stories.
Wow, that's an amazing story! I certainly wouldn't have been able to keep from crying! Maybe she can sing it for me during cookie baking on the weekend....
What a beautiful memory to have.
I love the idea of a speaking chair too.
That's beautiful. Isn't it amazing how much they learn and how quickly! They also still remember things. I'm so glad both of your kiddos are home forever with their family.
Wow. I wish I could have heard her sing. And to do it the way she did is so sweet. Vika is a lovely little girl. I'm so glad you brought her and her brother home with you. They will love Christmas.
Oh my I teared up just reading about her singing. What a special gift - Kind of like the Little Drummer Boy (my favorite song)!
What a wonderul post. Thanks for sharing that moment with us. It gives me something to look forward to.