Over Thanksgiving dinner, we talked a little bit about the upcoming Christmas holiday.

I think it was Sara (a friend of my sister) who said ... "So Rita, this will be your first Christmas ... are you excited?"

And Rita said "I've had Christmas before. In Russia."

And so we asked her what she did for Christmas last year.

She said that they sang Christmas songs and danced around a Christmas tree. And they got some candy. "Just candy?" we asked. "Yes, some candy."

She was so sweet, innocent, matter-of-fact and unaware of all of the typical hoopla which surrounds the holiday. (Which is good actually!)

(sigh) I had to leave the table because I was going to loose it.

So I heated up some caramel sauce for dessert.

I forget sometimes that Rita hasn't always been with us, and up until 9 months ago, she lived in the Children's Home.

I think back over the six years she was there - and what I have done over that same time - and can't believe she was living - without parents - that whole time.

I wish I could turn back the clock and so we could have found her earlier. (sigh)