Finding the Finding Ad

Piper's Finding Ad: That's our sweet girl in the center - looking a little apprehensive.
And adorable beyond words.

Right after we received Piper's referral, I requested her finding ad from www.research-china.org. Since 1999, China orphanages have been required to run a provincial newspaper ad for children who are found and brought to their orphanage.

These ads contain information about where and when the children were found and which orphanage is caring for them. Until recently, the ads were only text, but most provinces now include photos. These photos are usually the earliest available pictures of the children, some from as young as a few days or weeks old.

Today we received Piper's finding ad and an actual copy of the January 23-29 issue of the Jiang Xi Business News newspaper with her ad. Isn't she the definition of precious?

The ad reads:
Wang Fang Qin, a girl, Birth date:12/12/05, on 12/13/05 she was found by the gate of the Jinjiang Dongbei Street Office. She was tiny and she wore a blue coat when found.

We don't know exactly what or where the "Jinjiang Dongbei Street Office" is, but if possible, we hope to go there to see where Piper's birth mom left her to be found...and brought to us.

Many people have trouble understanding how or why a parent can leave their baby at the gate of an office building and simply walk away. The reasons are myriad and the result of a population control policy and centuries old cultural beliefs.

But I think an adult Korean adoptee explained it best. She said that we are what our children's birth parents wanted for their babies. We are what they dreamed of and prayed for. We are their hope.

Someday, we'll discuss all this with Piper. And I hope she'll understand the sacrifice her birth parents made. And how incredibly grateful we are.