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| Little Jerry! |
Yesterday one of the sweetest little boys at the Babies Home, got adopted. As excited and happy as we all were for him, it'd be impossible to not feel a tad bit sad as his heart melting smile and sweet laugh will truly be missed!
The day before he left, one of the staff members was holding and cuddling him her entire shift. I call her "Jeremiahs Grandma" because they were inseparable! She always made a special effort to say hello to him as she passed the class, or give him a kiss goodnight. I admire her for that.
As we walked into class today, I noticed we had brought his picture we were planning to put up on the wall! My Mom leaned over to me as I held his picture and said "Go give that to his Grandma." So I walked down the hall, and found her sitting with another staff member. When I handed her the picture and said "This is for you" her face completely lit up! She was so shocked, surprised and excited! It was very touching. She kept saying "Thank you, thank you!" and embracing me in massive hugs!! She hugged and kissed the picture, and then would stand up and hug me again while saying "Thank you!"
She then walked around showing the picture to everyone and saying "Jeremiah! My son!"
I ended up passing her again that day, and found her sitting under a cabana just starring at the picture. It was very touching to see how much a simple picture that probably would've ended up buried under a pile of papers. Instead though, it will be cherished and persevered forever.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a lump in my throat. It took a lot of self-control to not burst into tears.
Cheers,
Savannah
All my life I've only had one perspective, and that was my own. Formed and created inside my perfect little world, that now seems like fairy-tale land compared to the reality 80% of the world lives in.
For the past couple of days I have been completely and utterly confused and lost, as suddenly my whole world has capsized when I opened my eyes, and allowed the emotions that have been swelling within me for months to escape.
I'm the kind of person who wants to live a happy meaningful life, and until now I believed I could fulfill that by living an ordinary life. For instance, I've always had a dream of doing a biking trip with my iPod, because when I combine nature and music, it makes me feel in heaven. So I thought I'd bike the UK when I got a little older. I also have been looking forward to getting my L, start being more independent, and simply enjoying my youthful years, which includes Chick-Flick movie nights, shopping at the mall and so forth.
Now however, I'm not so certain. All I see when I look at that list is a self-centered life. Working to earn money...for myself. Biking because it makes ME feel good. Me me me, that's all I thought about. Now there's the child with burn marks from extensive abuse, the baby who was abandoned on the side of the road. Outside of the orphanage there's the teenager who awakes at 5am to study, before heading to school at 7am, where they then study until 7pm, walk home by 9pm, and study until midnight. After all their hard work, what are their rewards? Nothing. They still can't find jobs and make a living. Yet they work harder than I ever had in my life. There's the older brother caring for his four younger siblings, skipping meals to pay their school fees.
Now there is someone other than me. There's a life I never even knew existed. There's a life with value, with purpose much greater than Friday Night Pizza. I see a life that expands beyond me, and my wants and needs.
I don't have all the answers to my endless questions, but I do know this. I am ready to give up everything and dedicate myself to serve these people. To give them the opportunities that come daily to me, but are once in a lifetime to them. I want to make OTHERS feel joy, and I know through doing this I will accomplish my goal in life. I will be happy, successful and live a life of worth.
Cheers
Savannah
