About Angelique

In the middle of a bunch of fun with cousins in AL, Lasa retreated and made this card for Angelique.  (If the precious first grade invented spelling doesn't turn you into a puddle, the heartbreaking message sure will.  "Sometimes I feel alone when you are not here.")

It really struck me ... the sincerity and confusing emotion an adoptee can feel.  I have read from adult adoptees about this very sentiment, so it did not surprise me.  I am so glad that even at this young age, Lasa is able to recognize it and communicate it ... a residing loneliness in the absence of her birth family.  A loneliness that lingers even when surrounded by her adoptive family, when having a wonderful time.  It is a fair and true emotion that deserves validation and respect and empathy!  Joy and sadness can and do coexist at the same time.

We have tried multiple times this year to get Angelique to respond to invites to visit again, but those have so far remained ignored.  She sort of picks and chooses what things she will acknowledge or respond to.  Ha!  BUT, we have been so glad to have re-established and maintained contact with her again this year , so we don't take even those snippets of text and voice messages for granted.  We went ahead and texted Angelique to ask for her address so we could send her this card from Lasa.  Angelique did not respond to that text but did text a voice message a couple days later with a greeting for the holidays, which was nice.  She sent another voice message on NYE, too, with similar greetings and said for us to call back.  So Josh and Lasa tried her first thing the next morning.  They were so thrilled when Angelique was available!  They talked for about 10-15 minutes and it was a sweet and warm chat.  We ended up sending her pics of the card (as she did not have/offer an address to share just now) and a copy of Lasa's cheer schedule in case she would like to come see her cheer one of these upcoming Saturdays.  She seemed to love the idea, so we will hold out hope for an in-person visit here in 2022.  Thankful for the kind texts and voice messages and occasional phone chats in the meantime.  It is good for Lasa's heart.  And even Angelique admitted to how this call put her mind and emotions and body at ease.  So glad! 

Pic of Lasa chatting with Angelique.  Great start going into a new year!