Tonight I am making the list of all the documents I need to apply for Flip's entry visa. The whole application process has to be done in steps. So tonight I completed the first 2 steps.
1)the preparation step. This is when I finally decide that FB has been checked thoroughly and no one else is posting anything for the night. I have sent all possible emails including the random links regarding "32 things you can make with cardboard boxes" that I promised another mom. Very neat link, btw. The girls' sleep music has been put onto Marvel's old iPhone- a project I have been thinking about since our old iPod died about 4 months ago. I have soaked in the bath, started next week's grocery list, and done just about everything I can think of to procrastinate. This is when I click on the visa website.
2)the list step. I filter my way through the Travisa website making a list of all the documents and copies I need to make. Our computer has recently moved downstairs into the main room. While I love it down here, all our files and our printer is upstairs. So this time around I have learned to bring it all downstairs- yes the printer, too. The last round I got stuck at the "Print this Page" point. I tried saving to a zip drive, Marvel tried Dropbox, I tried contacting the help page, but finally I just picked up our printer and lugged it downstairs. Surprisingly simple, practical and effective.
But tonight, in step 2 I pause. Among the applications and documents, I must submit the paperwork to renounce my daughter's Indian Citizenship. Being a mother is hard. Being an adoptive mother is full of heartbreaking decisions and realities. I am not sure why this certain phrase has hit me so hard. This ball started rolling 4 years ago when we put in our application to adopt from India. We will always do our best to keep our girls tied firmly to India, but with this simple renunciation application I feel as if I am making the decision to deliver the final and official cut from her homeland.
And again I see the irony, renouncing her Indian Citizenship to earn a visa to take her home.
1)the preparation step. This is when I finally decide that FB has been checked thoroughly and no one else is posting anything for the night. I have sent all possible emails including the random links regarding "32 things you can make with cardboard boxes" that I promised another mom. Very neat link, btw. The girls' sleep music has been put onto Marvel's old iPhone- a project I have been thinking about since our old iPod died about 4 months ago. I have soaked in the bath, started next week's grocery list, and done just about everything I can think of to procrastinate. This is when I click on the visa website.
2)the list step. I filter my way through the Travisa website making a list of all the documents and copies I need to make. Our computer has recently moved downstairs into the main room. While I love it down here, all our files and our printer is upstairs. So this time around I have learned to bring it all downstairs- yes the printer, too. The last round I got stuck at the "Print this Page" point. I tried saving to a zip drive, Marvel tried Dropbox, I tried contacting the help page, but finally I just picked up our printer and lugged it downstairs. Surprisingly simple, practical and effective.
But tonight, in step 2 I pause. Among the applications and documents, I must submit the paperwork to renounce my daughter's Indian Citizenship. Being a mother is hard. Being an adoptive mother is full of heartbreaking decisions and realities. I am not sure why this certain phrase has hit me so hard. This ball started rolling 4 years ago when we put in our application to adopt from India. We will always do our best to keep our girls tied firmly to India, but with this simple renunciation application I feel as if I am making the decision to deliver the final and official cut from her homeland.
And again I see the irony, renouncing her Indian Citizenship to earn a visa to take her home.
ain't right is it?
ReplyDeletesome Aparents would be so relieved to be done with the home country out of fear...good for you for wanting the connection for her, so important.
C