Anya is Doing Ok, Thanks For Asking

I got an anonymous comment here last night from someone suggesting I had 'forgotten' about my daughter Anya and that it was a shame I was hosting Dasha because it was obviously a slap in the face to Anya. First off -- HOW DARE YOU? It's comments like yours that make me question the validity of blogging at all. Why submit myself to such treatment? You don't even know me. I HATE judgemental people. And what do I hate even more? Cowardly judgemental people who hide behind the 'anonymous' mask. But, being the person I am - someone trying to be understanding in all things -- I will humor you with answers.

First, you are so wrong it is not even funny. Not only have I not forgotten Anya, but her absence is all the more palpable with Dasha here. I miss her. I love her. I want her here, but our ridiculously upside-down world won't allow it. I'm fighting it...going on five years now, if you need a reminder. And I WILL NOT STOP trying. Forget Anya? Just because I don't post every private detail about our weekly phone calls to her or how much money I send her monthly, or how many letters and packages we lovingly put together for her -- does NOT mean that there aren't calls and western union payments and letters and packages. I LOVE that girl. She is my daughter, no matter what the damn government has to say about it. I couldn't forget her if I wanted to. She is part of our family. She is half of my heart.

And as to your  'hosting Dasha is a slap in the face' comment: What world do you live in? Obviously a  quite narrow one. First off, we informed Anya about hosting long before Dasha entered our lives. She was happy, even excited for us. She knows I want to help other children that were/are in her situation. She knows how hard we are fighting for her, and she knows I have enough love in my heart for many more children. Hosting Dasha is a testament to our commitment to Anya and my commitment to Nastia. Hosting Dasha has provided Nastia with a chance to experience a sibling living in our home, a chance to share her love with someone else, a chance to improve her Russian for her sister....and a chance to have a break from grieving all the time. Dasha is a delightful reminder of what God has in store for us when Anya comes home. 

So Anonymous, that's my answer. I doubt it will satisfy you. If you had the wherewithal to post such a horrible comment, I doubt there is room in your heart or mind for an honest answer. I have found that it is people like you, who stand in judgement and hide behind the shadow of anonymity that the internet affords  -- it is people just like you who are keeping Anya from me. -- people who are negative, inflexible, holier-than-thou. YOU are the problem, my friend. Why don't you look in the mirror, deflate that air of arrogance around you, and go out into the world and do something nice for someone. Humility, my friend -- humility and love are what will change this world for the better. I'm just trying to do my own small part here. You'd be wise to stop hiding behind your computer and try the same.