Our nightly bed time ritual is so precious now... no more tantrums or angry tears. No more flailing arms and kicking feet or crazy wild itching frenzies. Kajal curls up in my arms after we read our nightly stories and we sing a little, talk a little and she falls into a peaceful sleep. Thank God. This is also often the time when she brings up India. Her fears, her memories, her questions. The other night as I held her she looked up and said, Mommy, you saved me from danger, from India danger. This word, danger, represents all the bad that happened to her, all the hurt. I held her tight and promised to always be there, to always save her. We all know of course, that we can't always protect or save our children but with God's help, I'll always do my best. Now, all I care about is letting her know that she is safe now... that she no longer has to fight 'danger' on her own but that she really does have a forever Mommy who will fight dangers, for her.

She said that I saved her, people say that to me all the time. In some ways, perhaps I did. I also believe though, that she saved me. My life has never been more full of love and hope or happier than it is now. I feel blessed that I have the honor for caring for and loving this incredible child. Taking care of her, helping her believe in herself, continuing to foster the kind and generous spirit that radiates from within her... is a gift from the universe and God, to me. I believe this in my soul.

We saved each other.