Oksana Weir

Dear Heather Patricia Ward,

Six years ago, I was first introduced to your book I Promise I'll Find You, and I wanted to thank you for writing this book. In 2003, at the age of nine, I was brought into the United States America by my adoptive mom, Susan. On her trip to Russia, she brought this book along for me and quietly gave it to me, as we were waiting for the final adoption paperwork to be completed. I did not know her well at the time, but your book helped us to grow closer together.

In a sense, it was like my adoptive mom, Susan, and I were meant to be together. I was the lost child, and she was out looking for me, like the mother in your book. "If ever you're apart from me, I'll search till I find you." This is exactly what Susan did for me. I came in the summer of 2001 to the U.S from Russia for a fun trip where I was able to stay with an American family in Des Moines, Iowa, This is where I first met Susan. I had an amazing summer filled with everything a kid in the United States could do. I was sad to leave Susan behind in America and return to the orphanage in Russia. Little did I know that a year later, I would be back in Iowa with Susan in her big old weathered house on Scott Street.

Like the mother in the book, Susan took many planes and trains to find me. When she came to pick me up in Russia and take me back to America, she gave me this book. I did not know any English at that time, except a simple hello. I remember her reading it to me even though I did not understand it. This book meant as much to me then as it does now.

Your book not only helped my new mother and me get closer together, but it also showed me that even though I was without a family, there is always someone in the world who loves you and will come find you. I learned that there were people on another continent that loved me and could not wait to laugh, talk, cook, eat, and share their lives with me. I am very thankful for my new family.

Your artist for the book, Sheila McGraw drew the mother having a dog by her side when she was searching for her child. Susan, though she did not bring the dog to Russia, had a dog, Ginger, who I fell in love with during my summer stay in the United States. When Susan read the book to me, she would always tell me that Ginger was helping her find me. Today, Ginger is still by our sides making sure we are all together.

I Promise I'll Find You had a great effect on my life. Your book brought my new mother and me together. I just want to thank you again for this amazing story and that I hope you, as an author, know how much words can mean to a family. Not only did your book bring my mother and me closer together, but it also showed me that people who love you will always be there for you no matter what. You do not have to look far for those who love you; they are right there beside you. "I'd pick you up and bring you home, and you would know I care." That line tells the whole story of what Susan did by bringing me to America.

Thanks again,
Oksana Weir