It was August 2003 when I last saw Kali. (When this page was written. I have since seen her in 2008. See below.) We took the bus to Portland, Kali, Susan, me and the camera. We knew it would be the last time visiting with Kali on our weekends. Difficult choices had to be made. My parents both getting on in years live near San Francisco. It would be nice to spend some time with them and perhaps find employment easier to obtain in California. Oregon was not likely to recover and my 600+ resumes resulted in just one interview.
We took the bus outside our door to downtown Portland with a stop at the McDonalds we have visited many times before. Kali remembers the way there especially once we get close. She loves french fries and mcnuggets. They have a pool and fountain there. We get a table close to the water. Kali finishes her meal and I wonder if she imagines herself getting into the water? I know she would if I would let her :-)
We walked through Pioneer Square as usual. Unfortunately the water falls were not running. The basins along the street were full of water and Kali pulled me over to each one. Trying to get both her hands into the water.
We had already packed much of the house. Within a week we would be moving. We had a pretty normal Kali weekend. This is the end of the text but there are some images I modified of Kalis'visit that weekend.
I returned to Portland Oregon in Feb 2008 as Kali was going through a difficult time moving into a new home. While there I was able to visit with her several times. She had grwon during those five years. She remembered me and remembered me playing the piano for her, as I was able to do so at her foster home. She is an incredible child with the cognitive skills of a one to two year old. She is my only child.
I may put up some more pictures taken during 2008 here in a few months. I am grateful to Betsy and her husband for being there for Kali as I was not able to do so.
