Reflection Day

Have had no downtime until now. We have arrived safely at Home of Loving Faithfulness in the New Territories where we have been so warmly welcomed by Aunty Val and Aunty Wendy. They are the 2 missionary ladies who brought us up at Shatin Babies Home many moons ago. It is so amazing to be here. Val remembers Linda and I really well. Linda being the cheeky one and me with my round face and smile. It is so homely and we are being spoilt utterly. We join the staff for meal times - yummy food. Linda and I are having a catchup day with jounal writing and blogging, plus I have a cough and infected burning eyes. Bron and Audrey have gone to HongKong Island. Last night Bron took the plunge with millions of others to watch the incredible fireworks on the waterfront {an hour away} while us 3 stayed back and watched it on tv. It was a public holiday for them.

The last 6days have been 7am starts and crawling into bed round 1 am. Arrived on the Sunday morning where we met up with some of our "sisters" that were staying at the same luxurious hotel and had lunch. Afternoon was rest for 2hrs before Bron and I wandered through MongKok City. Others went to the Peak, before meeting up for dinner again.

Monday was our 1st formal day of our "sisters" reunion. What an absolute buzz as we entered into the room. After meeting up with old and new faces we began the session with intros etc. Kirsten Lovelock who started this whole affair 11 yrs ago spoke about her research and ongoing book which hopefully will be published soon. She gave a very humerous speech. After morning tea, the dvd of China Dolls was shown and then many of the girls got up and shared stories. A lot of hilarity. I must include 2 boys had joined us so now it is "little sisters and brothers". Yum Cha lunch was at a very busy restaurant. In the afternoon Bron and I met up with 2 others for a soak in the spa at the hotel until our skin became all shrivelled up. In the evening we all headed off for the MongKok Markets. I find it hard to bargain so Linda and Bron did that for me.

Tuesday was the day I had been waitng for. I had arranged for the Shatin girls to meet with someone at Shatin Babies Home, now called High Rock Christian Camp. Once we got off the MTR, and outside, there in the distance was a building up on a hill. That was my 1st sight of "Home" - my eyes welled up with tears. Once arriving to the bottom of of the only access path leading very steeply to the entrance of the home, the boys took over my wheelcahair and just bulldozed all the way up. At the top, I just took in the whole sight of this now historical building. It was good to know it could never be pulled down. 9Sadly there were many other big orphanages that been pulled down probably because it was too high up on the hill. It looked smaller but we all headed off for the front entrance steps to reproduce photos taken when we were small. Met up with Iris who took us into a very welcomed airconditioned room and was introduced to a man who had lived in the home same time as us. He did not get adopted out and we thought it was because he was a boy, but later on we found out he had been adopted to 2 American families and did not like being there. He had a list of all the children that was in the Home and I found my name. The information showed I was actually born round the 24 Aug, not the 15 Aug. and I was taken to the Kowloon police, not Shatin Police and found in Diamond Hill.. It was worth going there just to find that out. We poured over old photos and ate fresh egg tarts and drank heaps of water. We were then given a tour round the building. Many of the sleeping area had changed but outside the courtyard and facade of building was very much the same. David the one that stayed back was able to relate so much more to us as he was there till 10yrs. Chris Wong had so many memories which I envied, but for me no memories came back. However I knew I had come back home after 46yrs later after screaming the one word in Chinese "aeroplane". I wanted to go home..In a way I don't think it has really sunk into me that I had planted my feet on the very grounds of my childhood.. Iris joined us for a yum cha l and then we headed off to meet again in an hours time for our city sigh tour and dinner harbour cruise. On the boat we watched the Symphony of lights = a colourful city display. Oh yes before that we had an hour at the Temple Markets and then on an open top bus seeing the city sights. What a sad and happy farewell after drinks at 1 am.

I don't know what we would have done without Dave U, {an adoptee} he ended up being our GPS navigator. He just had the knack of direction and where to catch trains etc.

Wednesday was the worldwide reunion which was more conference and information stuff. Listened to speakers from organisations that had to do with adoptions and orphanages. Thursday night we met up with some adopted families expats who had adopted children.

Friday morning Wendy picked up Bron, Linda, Audrey and myself for HOLF which now updates me to now. We need to go for lunch now, the smell is drawing Linda and I there. Bye for now. xxx