We went back to the Gladney foster care center on Wednesday for the coffee ceremony. When there is a cause of celebration, or farewell, or simply a desire for a break in the day, Ethiopians have a coffee ceremony. I could get used to that tradition! When we arrived at the center, Arri was promptly removed from my arms by her special mother, Beza. Each child has a special mother, a primary caretaker, and on the day of the coffee ceremony, the special mother gives the child gifts and says goodbye for the last time. I knew this would be a poignant day, and it was. Beza gave Arri a beautiful traditional Ethiopian dress, and another caretaker gave her a purse, and another gave her a bracelet. They styled her hair, and here she is!!
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| Arri and her special mother, Beza |
The coffee ceremony with Travis and Solomon
After the coffee ceremony, Beza came to say goodbye to Arri, and I asked Travis to translate. We said "thank you" to Beza for all of her love and care, and of course I started to cry! How can you thank someone for loving your child for 8 months, while she waited to be united with her family? The caretakers are amazing. They love the children very, very much.
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