“Orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they’re not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes.” – David Platt
I feel so fortunate to be the mama to one little Russian treasure. Three years ago today, I stood up, with shaky legs, in a Moscow courtroom to tell them how much I wanted him. And in those almost-three years home? He has thrived.
He has gone from the reserved, scared little boy we met…
to the wild comedian we all know and love.
But, what if he never had the chance? What if the process had taken us longer? Or we started later or…?
He’d still be waiting.
Can you imagine erasing his last 3 years? All of the love? Hugs? Kisses? Comfort? Warm bed? Food in his belly?
Family?
No? You wouldn’t wish that for Gus?
Well, it’s the reality for his friends.
Will you take a few minutes and watch this trailer for the movie To the Moon and Back?
Please follow it up by liking their page on Facebook. Let’s help share this story!
a moose in moscow 
It is great that your Gus is doing so well – but Russia’s concerns regarding the treatment of their kids in the U.S. Are legit.
Kids who get rehomed when their U.S. Forever mommy and daddy tire of them. Like Inga in the ghastly Reuters Child Exchange series!
Russian kids like Masha Allen who was adopted by a pedophile, horrifically abused, rescued, abused horrifically by her second U.S. Forever family, rescued and dumped in U.S. Foster care, that she subsequently aged out of!
Why not demand higher standards for adoptive parents AND better protections for Ruusian kids adopted by Americans!!
Katie, sure, I could get behind higher standards for adoptive parents. Shortly before the ban, Russia did start requiring all adoptive parents to take a certain number of training hours, which I think is a good idea. More training? Additional post placement reports? More handholding from a social worker or therapist? I think all of those are reasonable if we’re talking about a child’s best interests.
I think it’s horrific what far too many adoptees have gone through stateside. However, I also think it’s horrific what many orphans go through in Russian orphanages –and other countries’ orphanages and the U.S. foster care system. I’m not the type of person who believes all kids are better of in America, but I do believe all kids are better off in families. 🙂