Day 44 - Saying Goodbyes - Monday, October 31

Once again we planned to go to the orphanage to bring gifts and say good-byes. We found out that the train had not been running on Saturday to the stop we needed, so it did not matter that we did not make it that day. But today, we were hoping that it would be running so we could go see their friends one last time. We tried to get out the door early and head down to the center to buy a pair of gloves for one of the kids. But when we got there the vendor where we bought Yarik's gloves was not open yet. We found another pair, but not what we really wanted. We were trying to find the right bus, but the number we needed never came so we decided to not chance it and we took a taxi. We got to the train station just in time to get our 3 tickets and walk to the platform as the train was pulling in. Today was far less crowded and we all had seats, though at first I had to sit a few rows away from the boys. After a few stops, the seats near me opened and the boys moved by me. I had my phone, so Sergei and I played angry birds while Yarik listened to his mp3.
Once we got to our stop, we did not see a taxi waiting, and Sergei wanted to walk so we took advantage of the beautiful day and walked to the orphanage. The kids would all still be in class, so there was no hurry to get there. We truly have had the most amazing weather during our time here. I think there was only one or two days when we had to walk in a drizzle. The days that it was nasty weather, we could either stay in or we were driven around. When we got to the town where the orphanage is located, Yarik wanted to take a gift to one of his teachers who was at home. So we went to meet her first. She liked her gift and agreed to give a second gift to another teacher who was in Sumy that day. We went to another home to give the third gift, but she was not home, so he signed his name on the package and left it there.

Kids opening their gifts

Next we stopped at the small store on the way back to the orphanage and bought some juice to go with the cookies and treats we had brought for the kids. Once we got to the orphanage, one of the older boys saw us out the window and knocked to get our attention. It was Vitaly who had been to America and his family had asked us to get him a phone. He was in the English class, so we gave him the phone and gave his English teacher her gift as well. We visited with the teacher and kids a bit.

Teacher, Svetlana with her flower

Then, Sergei went to his main classroom and gave out the gifts to the teacher and the kids. All of his roommates pretty much go together to all of their classes from what I can tell. So everyone was there. They all liked their gifts and were happy to show each other what Sergei had chosen for them. Next they had to leave for another class, so we went to some other teachers to give out gifts. Once we had all the gifts given, we went out to the sport field to play some soccer. I watched for a bit and then joined in a while. The boys wanted to go back to the store for a snack, so when the other kids left the field again, we wandered back to the store for some chips and juice.

Boris trying out his new goalie gloves

Sergei and Vitaly

After the snack, Sergei and a few others were back playing soccer again. They played for quite a while and then a couple boys wanted Sergei to go with them. He went and Yarik and I headed over to the sleeping building. Later Sergei joined back up with us and we found some friends and took more photos. Several times the boys wanted Sergei to go with them for a minute or two. It was good that he got the chance to say good bye. At one point he said he kind of felt like he did not want to go back to Sumy. I think the realization of leaving everything he has known for the last 8 years was hitting him a little bit. I was glad that he was feeling something. I know that in time it will hit him and I hope that if it happens a little at a time it will be easier for him to deal with it. He is still very happy to go to America and wants to go soon. Every other time we talked about it, he was happy to leave and seemed like he never wanted to look back.

Sergei one last time playing basketball with friends

For a short time nearly all the kids went to the dining hall. I had never seen them all go at the same time, so I am not sure what it was about. But we sat and talked a little bit. Soon though, the boys were back and told Sergei they were going to the gym to play basketball. Sergei wanted to go watch, so we all went with him. We did not have much time before we had to get the taxi  back to the train station, but we watched for a few minutes. Then one of the kids had to leave and they asked Sergei to take his place. Sergei got to play for about 10 minutes before we had to leave for the taxi. The guys gave one more quick good-bye and we left. I so wish more of those kids had families that could come for them, but that is not to be at the present time.
When we got to the train station, one of the boys who had been to the grad retreat was also there waiting to take the train to Sumy. We ended up with space in our compartment, so he came and sat with us. I still had a deck of cards in my backpack, so we played cards for nearly the whole trip back to Sumy. It sure made the time pass much more quickly. Once back to Sumy, the boys convinced me to take a taxi back to the apartment. I had him drop us at the grocery store so we could get some food for dinner.
 The evening was much of the same. We ate dinner, checked out facebook, tried to Skype with Sergei Spiker, but they had a death in the family, so it did not work out. I talked to Darren and soon got ready for bed. Ksenia had said that she would pick us up at 8:30am to start picking up documents. I gave Sergei a melatonin tablet which seemed to help him get to sleep much faster than usual.