Guatemala - a different trip...

[Don]

I'm here in Guatemala on the biggest NON surfing trip of my life.

While this country has a coast on both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, my quest is of a different journey.

Bonnie and I are adopting a baby. We arrived on Thursday night and met our new daughter Lana Friday morning. We were able to take her with us from the childerens home during our stay in Antigua and the amount of support we have had from everyone we have met has been completely undescribable - complete strangers, people on the plane, our hotel, and more. I'll be writing more on this tale as time permits, but I felt it important to start to tell this story which has only just begun.

Lana is 2 months and won't come home with Sunday, but we'll have her home with us soon - September or October. We took the opportunity to come down and spend time with her as those with childeren know how quickly childeren grow up. Leaving her here while the paper work is being processed will be hard, but to know she is being cared for by so many people with so much goodness in their hearts is comforting.

Perhaps some day we'll get to explorer the coast. I do know we'll be back to allow her to experience her heritage. For now, we are truly enjoying the mountains, people and warmth Guatemala has to offer. A third world county, yes, but not like any other I've been to.

More and pics to follow.

Cheers,

Don

[K-man]

All the best to the three of you
And get that bedroom done!!!


K.

[stemple]

Congrats Don,

Being a parent is one the most rewarding and difficult tasks I can think of. We have friends who have adopted two children from Guatemala in the last 6 years. They live in berkeley and are quite connected to organizations that support foreign adoptions as well as other families in the area that have adopted from that country. If you are interested, I am sure they would be willing to provide you will lots of contacts and information that will make Lana's journey to sausalito that much more fantastic. Let me know if want there info and I will get you their number.

Congrats again.

Syd

[ScottMac]

..

[waka]

Congratulations Don and Bonnie,
Welcome to the world of parent hood.
Are you counting the sleeps till Lana arrives home?

[SFKneelo]

I've been busting at the seams on this one!

You and Bonnie are two wonderful parents-to-be!

Of all the journeys we've shared, we anxiously await this next chapter!

Angels have worked their magic, and wishes down the Americas are about to be fulfilled.

All the warmest from us! We can't wait to spoil her!

We just spent an incredible weekend in the Santa Cruz mountains at the wedding of my wife's youngest brother.

It's in the air... it's in the air.

As we speak, the Newlyweds are flying over you on route to Costa Rica.

While the surf... well, the surf.

It's a wonderful life.

Cheers to you!

Love,
The SFK clan

[Jack Beresford]

Don,

Best wishes to you and Bonnie on this trip of a lifetime! You'll never regret the decision to become parents. And what an amazing story you'll have to share!

Girls are the best - I've got plenty of Disney princess videos for you in about two or three years!

Jack

[wino]

Princes videos, bikes, tents, tiaras, etc.... Jack's girls have them all.

Don, it sounds like you and Bonnie will have your hands full. As you already know, you are gaining the greatest gift you can ever receive. Congratulations

[Jon Manss]

Nora and I are so stoked for Bonnie and you. Cheers are indeed in order Jon

[WayneK]

"Good on ya" and warmest regards! Parenthood is so incredible, you give so selflessly. But beware, they can suck the vital force right from you; hope there's some left over to paddle out on those BIG days at OB.
CONGRATS Bonnie and Don Girls Rule( especially their Dads) Wayne

[john -]

Dear Don

I can highly recomend adopted children...being adopted myself...i also recomend girls...dunno why

further

can i also recomend you get to know..if you do not already... the REM tune "The flowers of Guatemala" maybe from the album "Document"...earylish eighties at least...a very beautiful song

how lovely...a girl child from "the land of the eternal spring"


enjoy

[kage]

congrats Don and Bonnie! Hows the pooch taking the change? Bring her down to Big Sur in the fall!

[Steeno]

Totally awesome Don and Bonnie.......hugs from OZ

[Greg Little]

CONGRATS
Lori & I wish you Bonnie and Lana the BEST
Greg....

[mutiny]

congratulations bonnie and don, perhaps some of us will see lana at the novembers titles in santa cruz! cheering her dad on from the cliff..
tom b.