Saturday, December 14 -- One Small Flight to Beijing, One Giant Leap for Maylia

It had been a full and busy week -- it was hard to believe all that had transpired in just a few days. But our time in Guangzhou had come to an end and we were off to Beijing to finish the final leg of our adoption journey.  We had packed the night before so we could be up early to check out and get Maylia fed before our flight. Becky and Mr. Li picked us up at 7:45 so we could head to the airport and catch our 10:30 flight to Beijing. Todd was as cool as ever but I was very worried over how Maylia would do on her first plane ride. She had done so well on so many firsts I should have had more faith but, because I worry when there is nothing to worry about, I focused all my nervous energy onto that. The day was rainy and cool, the coldest it had been since we had arrived in Guangzhou. Becky scolded us for being underdressed for the weather while we reminded her that this often passed for a summer’s day for us. In one more ride with Mr Li’s daredevil driving we arrived quickly at the airport ,said goodbye, took a couple of photos and Becky walked us inside. 

She took us to the counter, got us checked in and saw us through security. She waited until we were through, waved and she was gone. What an extraordinary girl. I can’t imagine what the week would have been without her. We walked to our gate and tried to feed Maylia a little more until we boarded and then, it was time. Time to leave, as well as time for her nap.

We found our seats in the middle section and worried when we noticed that the configuration was 4 seats in the middle instead of 3. Thankfully we happened to be seated beside a Canadian from Vancouver who was visiting his girlfriend in Guangzhou. A polite , patient, kind Canadian : that was a good omen for the start of our flight. Maylia wouldn’t leave my lap  so we hoped that the flight attendant would think she was less than 2  and let her stay. After a bit of convincing they brought us a seatbelt that would attach to mine so she could stay on my lap -- though stay was a relative term. I could see her scratch the side for head  -- her first indicator that she’s tired and turned to Todd and said  “ T minus 10 -- that’s 10 minutes until a Tantrum begins. 

I was off by 9 minutes.  Just as we began to taxi on the runway Maylia wanted to move -- off my lap, out of the chair, she was just done being there, in that place, stuck in that space -- she wanted out. Her freedom curtailed, she railed against her little life of oppression the only way she knew how -- the scream. And scream she did. 

Now, I’m not a person who is generally bothered when a child screams or cries. In fact, much experience in the matter has helped me to develop and unusually calm and confident demeanor when my kids tantrum in public. I have learned to focus on the behavior and take a teaching moment and not be bothered by what others might think or feel as they observe me. I am a parent and have a job to do. They should do their job and if they can’t be patient or helpful, at least mind their own business. I claimed neither calm nor confidence though in that moment. For some reason even though this was our deal and our daughter, I felt that the fact that she was chinese...and most of them were too -- that they would think, I don’ t know,  that we were stealing her, didn’t deserve her,  shouldn’t have her or didn’t know how to treat or care for her. Even though she was ours I still had this feeling that they had some sort of cultural claim on her and I was so self-conscious about parenting in front of them. So I did the only thing I could do at that moment. Held on tight and prayed hard. I held her in my arms while Todd quietly and calmly reassured me as well as her and prayed in my mind that we could help to calm this little girl...oh, and if some angel could sing a magic lullaby and lull her to sleep that would be great too. The Lord’d mercies are many and I have been privy to far more than I have ever deserved in this lifetime but I am so grateful that he both heard and answered both of our cries. Within just a few minutes her stiffened screaming body began to relax, she began to scratch her head, yawn and rub her eyes and, in a matter of minutes, she fell sound asleep in my arms. She slept for about an hour while I held and rocked her in my arms and when she woke up she seemed happy and content and stayed that way until we landed.  She was wiggly and wanted to stand and move around but she stayed in, or standing on my lap and didn’t really cry again. More than a tender mercy. That was just a miracle. 

We waited until most people had disembarked before we exited ourselves, grateful that this,  her very first flight, had gone so well -- but already starting to feel a little nervous for the 13 hour flight home that would come in less than a  weeks time. 

After collecting our bags we found Joan once again who led us out to our driver.  Despite the smog that had engulfed Beijing at the beginning of our trip, blue skies were above us and we were grateful for a second good omen. We returned to the Crowne Plaza and checked in to a smaller suite than we had enjoyed at the Holiday Inn but it was lovely room nonetheless and we hoped Maylia would adjust quickly to her third home within a week.