Yesterday was our court date in Ethiopia.  I was prepared  for a few things to happen.  I was prepared for Chaltu’s case to be approved and her to legally/officially be a Mitchell.  I spent New Year’s Eve making sure the picture albums of her pictures were ready to be published as soon as we heard good news.  I was also prepared to have a delay because the courts just didn’t hear cases.  Earlier in the week some court cases from our agency were not heard because the judges were in meetings - so they rescheduled those cases.  I was also prepared to have a delay if MoWA (Ministry of Women’s Affairs) didn’t have their paperwork in order.  I was prepared for all of the outcomes... or so I thought.

None of that happened.

Instead, the judge heard Chaltu’s case.  And decided that the kebele’s abandonment paperwork was not sufficient.  The judge decided that the only way Chaltu could really be declared abandoned and then be adopted would be for the orphanage to continue to look for her birth mother for another year.  Look for another year, then they would re-evaluate.

Done.  Over.  Case closed.

But Abdissa, our wonderful representative in Ethiopia, appealed to the judge.  He told her that they had tracked her to another country, but lost her trail.  They had talked to relatives, and no one knows where she is.  Our representatives had been prepared to fly her back to Addis Ababa for the hearing... but they couldn’t find her.  When they couldn’t find her - they followed the rules for declaring Chaltu abandoned.  Paperwork was completed by the local police, declaring her abandoned.  The judge listened, and decided to hear the case again in two weeks, Jan 15.  But... we have to provide a relative who will verify that Chaltu’s birth mother cannot be located.

We don’t know if this can happen.  We just don’t know if anyone will be able to locate a relative who would be able or willing to testify to the fact that Chaltu’s birth mother cannot be located. 

In all honesty, I am not hopeful any longer. 

I am saddened by the fact that this little girl will be raised in an orphanage, when she could have had a family.  She DOES have a family.

I am angry that this happens - angry that the system has had to resort to waiting 1-2 years of looking for the person who relinquished the child... because agencies in the past have abused the system.

I am hurt.  Deeply.  Chaltu has been the child I have been carrying in my heart for over 10 months.  I feel a deep heartfelt loss, a place that will never be able to be filled completely.  She is my child... she is half way around the world... she will never know me... and I will never know her more than the stories I have heard thus far. 

I know we have one last chance... but truly I am not optimistic about it.  Those of you who really know me KNOW that I can usually see the good.  One last chance on the 15th to prove to the courts that her birth mother is gone.  She has moved on with her life.  I can’t blame her for that... for moving on. 

Our family will be ok.  We will eventually get another referral.  We will love that child with all the love we have.  We will move on.  But there will forever be a part of Chaltu with us.