When Navy Commanders Gail and Derek Takara bought a playset for their adopted Russian children, the kids’ first reaction was great excitement. Soon, however, reticence set in, and neither of the 4-year-olds would swing without a shove from their new parents. It seems that the actions required to swing were new to them, and for days the set went untouched. Finally, Julia, having learned from Gail how to “pump,” was spotted tentatively swinging by herself. Brother Nick, however, was still unwilling to do anything but watch. More days passed before urgent yelling suddenly came from the yard. Julia, sitting in one swing, was exhorting Nick, flailing away in the other, to “pump, pump…pump!” The woman next door phoned to say it was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard, and since then both kids have become expert swingers. Along with a host of new friends from the neighborhood!

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