Wish You Were Here

Dear Baby girl,

In America, we have a humorous saying that is frequently scrawled across pictures of tropical vacation escapes, or scenic views along well-travelled highways; that saying is "Wish You Were Here!"  That saying has taken on new meaning for your daddy and me, we wish you were here.

All the stores in town, our house, and even your bedroom have already been decorated for Christmas.  Do you celebrate Christmas where you are?  Have you ever seen or heard of Santa?  Do you have a stocking hung somewhere with your name on it?  Here you have all those things - things every child should have.  We wish you were here.

Tomorrow your daddy and I are going to see the Nutcracker, a ballet written and choreographed in Russia!  Have you ever heard the story of the Nutcracker?  Do you know what a ballerina is?  Have you ever heard music by Tchaikovsky?  Next year we will take you to The Nutcracker, and you can dream of being a ballerina - if that's what you want.  We wish you were here.

On Sunday we're going to celebrate your Grandpa's birthday.  Do you celebrate your birthday in Russia?  Have you ever had a birthday cake all your own?  Or blown out birthday candles?  Have you ever opened presents?  Put a bow on your head after ripping it off a gift?  We will do all of those things with you.  We wish you were here.

In order to bring you home there is SO MUCH to be done.  I wish you knew how many people already love you without ever having met you.  Our family and friends are working so hard to help us bring you home.

I wish you knew how excited everyone is to greet you.

I wish you were here.


Love,
Mommy