Well, we went to court today. Had to get up at 6AM to make sure we ate breakfast and got dressed in time. This is the one time on the trip that Tracy had to wear a dress and I was in my suit. We were to meet Helen in the lobby at 8:30 and she called at 8:20 to say they arrived early. Already in the van was the representative of the Moscow municipality. She would be testifying today at the court on Olga’s behalf. We had another 30-minute drive just to get to the east side of the Moscow metro area. Tracy & I are SO grateful that we have someone to drive here. As much as I enjoy driving and a good challenge, there is no way I could handle it everyday!
A couple of pictures of the Courthouse we went to....
We got to the Moscow City Court at 9:05 and we were the first one’s there. I guess we would rather be early than late in this situation. Anna, the CofH coordinator arrived at 9:15 and the orphanage director arrived at 9:25. They would be testifying on our & Olga’s behalf. We were first on the docket and were finally called in to the courtroom at 9:45. While we were finding our proper places, we were told that it would be just a couple of more minutes as the prosecutor was running late. Facing the judge from right to left was Helen, me, Tracy, the Moscow representative, the Director and Anna. The prosecutor was sitting to the judge’s right and there was an aide in front. Surprisingly, there was no court recorder and/or microphones to tape the proceedings.
Once we got started, the judge read a bunch of papers and Helen whispered the proceedings to us. Then she asked which one of us would like to answer questions first. I got to volunteer! She started with some easy ones that we were prepped for: my name; my birth date; my occupation; etc. Then she threw a couple of curve balls: since we both work, where will she go during the day; what time does school get out; what will we do during the after school time and the after work time until we pick-up the children; explain in detail what occurred during the first visit (note: this turned out to be important as she also asked the same of the Director to see if the versions would match);etc.
Next was Tracy’s turn. She got the same openers, then came the curve balls: do you think three children is too many; do you think you can work and handle three children; will you personally drop-off and pick-up the children; will you take family vacations; where will she go when vacation is over (i.e. day-care); etc.
When all the questions were finished, the judge went into her chambers to deliberate. A few minutes later, she came back out. To be honest, my heart was beating right out of my chest! All I can remember from what she said began with “I have deemed this to be in the best interests of the child Roman Olga and the state….” It was all I could do to maintain my composure! Somehow, I don’t think leaps of joy would’ve fit the social decorum!!!
When we left the court, we made the extremely long and harrowing drive to the complete other side of Moscow. We arrived at 11:45 – just before lunch. When we walked in, the director went upstairs to get Olga. When our little girl came down the stairs and saw us in the hall, she immediately burst into loud, sobbing tears. The kitchen workers had already started to bring lunch upstairs and we think she thought she was going to miss eating. We had Helen ask if she wanted to eat before playing and she answered “Да” (Yes). Tracy held her hand and upstairs they went. I went down the hall to hang up our coats and then met them up there. There were fifteen children all seated at their little tables according to age. They ranged from 2 to 4 ½! All of the children were eating very well with no individual assistance. The lunch consisted of a bowl of cabbage soup, then a main course of white rice, boiled beetroot and some form of stuffed meat loaf (not sure what it was stuffed with). Several of the children ate at least two platefuls of the main course. The children didn’t have anything to drink until after they finished their meals. Then they got a glass of a fruit compote, similar to a tea. Once lunch was complete, one of the nurses took Olga in to wash her hands. Then, downstairs we went.
We ended up in another gymnasium room today. They were having a celebration for the holiday of “Women’s Day”, Russia’s version of Valentine’s Day, in the party room. In the other gym room, there was a class for some nursing students who will be working in the orphanage soon. At first, she was still a little reluctant to do anything with us. Tracy got her to go down one of the slides a couple of times with one of the nursing students at the bottom. When I tried to help, Olga just grunted a no and toddled off to Tracy. A couple of minutes later Helen and the students left us alone. Tracy kept up the slide a couple more times. Then Tracy climbed up to the top of the structure to see if she would follow. Instead, Olga just sat on the floor looking around. When I asked “Where’s Mama?” she looked in the general area but couldn’t find her. I was sitting on the mat and scooted over to help her and she crawled away a few feet then turned back to look at me. I waited a moment, then tried again with the same result. I waited another couple of moments and stuck my hand out slowly and she actually took it. She let me lead her over to the steps and she climbed the first one then kneeled down and put her head on the second stair. I just stood there and rubbed her back and stroked her hair for a few minutes. The white flag of truce was flying! Taking it slowly, this went on for a few minutes then I picked her up – no resistance. She let me hold her for a while, just rubbing her back and whispering to her. A couple of minutes later, she actually started moving her fingers on my back… just a few millimeters, but it was a start! Now that the ice was broken, I put her back down and the three of us played, slid down the slide, twirled around and all around had a great visit. At 12:40, one of the nurses came in and said it was time for Olga to go upstairs for naptime. We both gave her hugs and kisses and off she went.
On the way home, Helen asked if we would like to stop and get some photos of Moscow. We thought that would be a nice idea. We stopped at a spot locally called “Sparrow Hill” for all the birds in the area. It is in the Lenin Hills and is in a direct line between Moscow University and the Kremlin. It is adjacent to a 99-meter tall ski jump and a small ski hill. There were several souvenir stands there that were charging outrageous prices. Helen informed us that this is the most expensive place in Moscow to buy the matrushka dolls. There were a couple of newlyweds there and Helen told us that it is a local custom to come there for photos after the wedding. For some reason, it is considered good luck.
On the way home, Helen asked if there was anywhere else we would like to go: museums, art gallery, etc. but we declined. We wanted to get home and loose the dress clothes. Walking around in a double-breasted suit isn’t exactly my idea of a fun time!
We get to see Olga/Allyson one more time tomorrow. This time it’s going to be an afternoon visit. Helen and Slava are going to pick us up at 3 PM for a 4 PM visit. We’ll be checking out of the hotel and taking everything with us. After the visit, we’ll head straight to the airport so we avoid the downtown afternoon traffic. We’ll talk to everyone when get back.
