meet gong lu
This morning I "met" a five-year-old girl on the Today show. Her name is Gong Lu and she's from China.
Gong Lu was born with a hemangioma on her nose. She was abandoned by her parents shortly after birth.
Through the determination of a Chinese adoption agency, the kindness of an American foster family and the amazing work of Love Without Boundaries, Gong Lu came to America for surgery and to find a family.
After surgery, adoption was Gong Lu's fondest wish... and today, it came true. Dr. Buckmiller, the surgeon who performed the procedure announced this morning that she and her husband have started the adoption process. With any luck, Gong Lu will be their legal daughter very soon.
Truthfully, I'm a little jealous. Two minutes into the segment, I wanted to snatch that wee girl up. She's had a tough five years -- abandoned by her parents and saddled with a condition that I'm sure has subjected her to cruel stares and ignorant finger-pointing. But you'd never know her hardship by looking at her because that little girl is all smiles.
She charmed me immediately. She also humbled me. Here is someone who has every right to be sullen and self-conscious... and she's not. She's the happiest little girl ever. She moved me to tears this morning with one word: "Beautiful." That was her reply when Couric asked her how she felt the first time she looked in the mirror post-surgery. In that moment, a reel of some of my more narcissistic moments played in my head... and I was ashamed. I have a lot to learn from this little girl.
I had never heard of Love Without Boundaries before today. Based on the research I did this morning, I want to quit my job and go work with them. While that's not the most practical option at present, I do intend to open up my wallet and send them a little something. I'm also going to enlist the aid of my good friend, Filomena, and see about sending the organization some handmade quilts.
For more information on the organization or to find out how to donate, please visit the Love Without Boundaries website. If you'd like to follow the escapades of Gong Lu, please check out the LWB blog.
Photo: Gong Lu after her first surgery; courtesy of the Love Without Boundaries Blog
Gong Lu was born with a hemangioma on her nose. She was abandoned by her parents shortly after birth. Through the determination of a Chinese adoption agency, the kindness of an American foster family and the amazing work of Love Without Boundaries, Gong Lu came to America for surgery and to find a family.
After surgery, adoption was Gong Lu's fondest wish... and today, it came true. Dr. Buckmiller, the surgeon who performed the procedure announced this morning that she and her husband have started the adoption process. With any luck, Gong Lu will be their legal daughter very soon.
Truthfully, I'm a little jealous. Two minutes into the segment, I wanted to snatch that wee girl up. She's had a tough five years -- abandoned by her parents and saddled with a condition that I'm sure has subjected her to cruel stares and ignorant finger-pointing. But you'd never know her hardship by looking at her because that little girl is all smiles.
She charmed me immediately. She also humbled me. Here is someone who has every right to be sullen and self-conscious... and she's not. She's the happiest little girl ever. She moved me to tears this morning with one word: "Beautiful." That was her reply when Couric asked her how she felt the first time she looked in the mirror post-surgery. In that moment, a reel of some of my more narcissistic moments played in my head... and I was ashamed. I have a lot to learn from this little girl.
I had never heard of Love Without Boundaries before today. Based on the research I did this morning, I want to quit my job and go work with them. While that's not the most practical option at present, I do intend to open up my wallet and send them a little something. I'm also going to enlist the aid of my good friend, Filomena, and see about sending the organization some handmade quilts.
For more information on the organization or to find out how to donate, please visit the Love Without Boundaries website. If you'd like to follow the escapades of Gong Lu, please check out the LWB blog.Photo: Gong Lu after her first surgery; courtesy of the Love Without Boundaries Blog
posted by curly mcdimple @ 11:41 AM :: permalink :: ::
