Days like today give me hope. Marissa, Jim, and I got the opportunity to go
to the beach with the kids and the other American groups staying here at New
Life. I was at this beach 2 1/2 years ago when I first came to Haiti. I never
thought I would get to see it again. It is one of my top favorite places on earth
to be, just behind Lambeau Field. It was
a day filled with laughter, squeals of delight, and lots of splashing. I also
got to experience my first jellyfish sting. Unfortunately, Marissa had just
gone to the bathroom so she couldn't help me out, but what a friend to offer!
But even a sting couldn't ruin the day, it was too perfect. Breathtaking views,
awesome food, and the best company I could have asked for. Getting to see the pure joy on the kids'
faces was priceless.
I played mom to a little girl today. I held her in the
water, helped her learn to kick and swim, she would go off with her friends and
then come back to check that I was still there. We sat on my towel and she went
through my bag of stuff and claimed it as her own. We went looking for rocks
and she sat on my lap and quietly played when she was ready for some alone time
away from all of the kids in the water. I
changed her, held her while she slept, tucked her in at night. For at least one
day she had a 'mom.' Our group came to
Haiti this week to be 'parents' to these kids. To try and fill in the gaps they
have of being on their own. Love on them, correct them when they are wrong,
pick them up when they fall, laugh with them, but most of all help them realize
they are loved and worthy of love.
Today, it was mission accomplished.
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