Gless Ai'Ling
(Ai'Ling)
Translation of Chinese Name: (Ai'Ling) "Bright"
Born: February 1, 1998
Gotcha Day: March 22, 1999
Agency: Children's Home Society of Minnesota
Mother: Eileen
Favorite Activities: Gless likes reading books, listening to music, and playing with her dogs and cats at home.
*Click on the photos below for a full-sized view.
Gless Ai'Ling's Referral Photo
This photo of Gless was taken in her hotel room at the
Good Sun Hotel in Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
(March 1999)
Here's Gless at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou.
(March 1999)
Taken at home in her own back yard,
here's Gless at 15 months of age. (May 1999)
Here's Mom, Eileen, holding her little angel Gless in July 1999.
Taken in July 1999, 17 month old Gless smiles for the camera.
*Click on the photos above for a full-sized view.
Gless Ai'Ling: A Chenzhou Baby
This story is not unlike many others told about adopting a Chinese child. But in some respects it is very different. The purpose of this writing is to introduce Gless to the world and to help older, single adults make the best decision of their lives. If you are still interested in reading this story, please continue.
I begin this story about three years ago. A friend of mine adopted a little Chinese girl. When I met her I fell in love. What a darling child. I didn't realize that a single woman could adopt. I gave this matter great thought. But as time passed, the thought of adopting came and went and came and went. During this time the clock was ticking, faster and faster. I decided I needed to get moving if I was to do this at all.
One day I just sat down and filled out the application to Children's Home Society of Minnesota. I was accepted and now the real work began. The usual process of home study, fingerprints, physical exam etc. etc. You know the great paper chase.
As the paperwork began, my excitement increased. I knew that I was getting just one small step closer to the day when I had my child in my arms. Not being a very brave or daring person, I asked my sister Amy to accompany me on my journey to China. She agreed and we began to gather the things we would need to travel. This is not a small task as you can imagine. This took up some spare time while we waited for the referral.
I was to have received my referral in December '98. Well as luck would have it, the referrals got lost. Not once, but twice coming from China. Our travel group was made up of 9 sets of parents. I can only imagine the feelings that everyone was having when those referrals didn't show up until the second week of January '99. When I finally received that packet I didn't know what to do. I opened it and sat at the kitchen table staring at the picture of Gless for the longest time. I called all my friends and family and shared the good news that Gless was very real and I could see what she looked like at long last. You see I made Gless a part of my life right from the start. I gave her her name and talked about her like she was already here. I believe that this also made the wait easier because I knew she was going to a part of my family soon.
After the referral arrived the packing began in earnest. Then, the day arrived. We departed St. Louis on March 19th and arrived in Guangzhou on the 21st. From there we traveled to Changsha. The evening we arrived in Changsha two babies from a different orphanage met their parents at the Grand Sun Hotel where we were staying. Both of these babies had been in foster care. How exciting it was to witness this union. The next morning we all traveled to the Farewell House in Changsha to get our babies. In the smallest of rooms were seven babies, nannies and seven sets of parents. Our interpreter called out our babies names and one by one we went forward to hold our child. Nothing can prepare you for the moment you hold your child for the first time. You have had plenty of time to think about how you will feel but believe me no one can tell you of the wonderment and joy when it finally happens to you. When Gless was placed in my arms nothing else existed for me. She was tiny, pale and very quiet. She looked around and seemed inquisitive. She didn't cry or even make a sound. Other babies were crying and showing that they were not sure about all of this. Gless also had very rapid eye movement. This immediately sent up red flags for me. But it was too late, I already loved this child.
After we did some paperwork, we returned to the hotel to get acquainted with our babies. I discovered that at 13 months, Gless could not roll over. She could sit up, if placed in this position. She didn't make any noise but seemed content to be with me. I was very concerned about her eyes. This was a nagging problem and caused me great unrest. We spent the rest of the day playing and getting to know everyone in our travel group and their babies. Our room became the play room and many times moms and babies visited and played. Food in Changsha left a lot to be desired. I'm really glad that my sister brought Peanut Butter and Jelly and crackers and cheese. We lived on this the whole time we were in Changsha. Gless drank milk and enjoyed some food from the table as she had eight teeth already. We were in Changsha for seven days, a very long time. We did do some sightseeing and bought some items to take home. The weather was in the 40's and of course I didn't bring clothes for it. The people in the hotel were nice and friendly. The Chinese people who lived and worked around the Grand Sun were very curious about us. We walked around the area and they looked and looked but no one bothered us.
After all the paperwork was completed here we traveled to Guangzhou. We stayed at the White Swan. This was much nicer because the weather was warm and we actually saw the sun after seven days. There is also a park near the hotel and many shops to visit. We purchased many nice things for people at home and for Gless when she grows up. The three days here were fun and the food was a bit better. By this time we all knew one another pretty well. It was an experience I'll never forget. We completed more paperwork and had the physical exam on the babies and kept our interview at the Consulate. Just a word of advise, the interview is simple. Don't worry, it's easy. Now it is time to depart from China. In many ways, I miss the experience of the people, their country, but Dorothy said it best, "There's no place like home." We left Guangzhou headed for Los Angeles. Gless slept 13 of the 15 hour flight. What a great kid! Only on word describes the trip from China to the USA---LONG!!! In LA we took the early morning flight to St. Louis, Mo. We were greeted by friends and family. They had to see Gless in the flesh.
Everyone was excited. For the first time, they knew I was a real mom. They all ooohed and ahhhhd over her. We were exhausted. What a trip. But we made it and were happy to be home. The real reason for this story........Your age doesn't matter. You will always have enough love in your heart to take care of a child, if that is really what you want to do. This baby will love you no matter what. I always thought that I knew what unconditional love was but I was wrong. Not until I held this child did I truly understand the meaning of the term.
There are children out there who need people to love and care for them, no matter your age. Don't wait, get started, fill your life with happiness and wonderment. This is the best thing I have ever done. Gless has made my life complete.
Gless's eyes--I have taken Gless to Children's Hospital in St. Louis and the doctor there believes that she contracted Toxoplasmosis from the mother. This can be gotten from eating raw meat or from cat feces. Gless has vision between 20/60 and 20/100 in both eyes and some blind spots on each eye. The doctor will have a better idea of the exact vision when she can tell us how she sees. He feels that she will have some problems in school with reading things. You would never know that she has a problem at this time. She is a happy, smiley little girl who has people stopping and talking to her all of the time. People always tell me that she is beautiful. She is inside and out. She loves to have books read to her, play with puzzles and listen to musical toys and games. She has truly enriched the lives of everyone around her. She has changed my life and the lives of all who meet her. She is a gift. You can get a gift to fill your life too!
