Lund Family Center Celebrates
13th Adoption Picnic
Each year, the Lund Family Center staff, board and volunteers gather with hundreds of families touched by adoption through Lund.
WOW!!!! I wanted to write and thank you for another terrific adoption picnic.
It has become our yearly joy. In the Jewish faith, the Torah is read in the same sequence starting at the New Year and ending at the end of the year – only to repeat itself. The interesting thing about this is that even though the stories are the same year after year, we are different, so each year we take something different away from reading them.
The adoption picnic has become that for me –
Each year, because of the picnic, I reflect about our family, adoption, our journey and others journey and touch base with where I am NOW about all these things. The picnic is similar every year, but my answers are different and what I take from it is different each year! What a grounding experience.
In addition to the overall great tone of the day and joyful experience for all three of us, there are a few specific experiences that stand out for us this year that I want to thank the volunteers for:
- The young men and women staffing the bouncy tent that had the climbing wall and slide did a wonderful job of greeting each child with enthusiasm and joy, while keeping everyone safe! You just had to grin with them, as they corralled all that energy.
- The woman who painted my daughters face made a valiant and joyful effort to make her into a unicorn (not an easy job). So much so, that it took a few days of convincing to finally was the pink off her face.
- The woman who did my daughters hair beads touched me deeply – the poise with which she worked with my daughter while talking with me about her experience coming to Vermont from Africa as a child was the highlight of my day.
- The woman who led Curly the pony: It was the end of the picnic and my daughter decided to overcome her fear, for the first time ever, and take a pony ride. She delayed her end point to take Rosalie around – not once but twice, talking with her and having fun the whole time. Rosalie has since been “Curly” the pony most mornings.
We are grateful to be a part of the Lund family.
L’ Shana Tova (A sweet and Happy New Year), Sharon and family
Gail's Story - Adoption Picnic Volunteer and Lund Staff Member
I would like to thank you for inviting me to join your adoption gathering on Sunday.
A special thanks goes out to Pam for all her hard work and not giving up on me, She extended an invite to me for the past three years, but I was always busy with other irons in the fire.
This year was the first time I was free, and Pam asked if I'd share my "singing river stories" with the children. It was touching to have some very special children com and sit awhile with me and feel free to share their sad stories that turned into love stories as they listened to their favorite river song. We sang, splashed and listened.
Working in childcare with my moms and their children has at times made me very selfish and wanting more at times than can be given to my department, Maybe we all feel that way at one time or another. But after working at this lovely gathering with very special people, I have a new appreciation for Lund and all that we do. My eyes have been opened and I have been given new people to hold dear in my heart after Sunday's gathering.
I tried to share with my co-workers how special the day was for all, but couldn't without a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Again, thank you Lund for all you do. I hope you ask me to join you again next year.
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