Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Memorable Moment #2

The last day of Kids Hope was hard.  Karina was mad and left without saying goodbye.. I actually cried the whole way home.  I felt no closure at all and although I care a lot about her, I felt like she couldn't care less about me, that the hour a week I spend with her for two years made zero impact on her life.  I accepted that this was just something I had to let go of and leave up to God.  And man, did he listen. 

Today I was at the Buchman's house doing work and there was a woman cleaning the house at the same time.  When she walked down the stairs and saw me, instant recognition crossed her face.  She knew exactly who I was even though I've seen her maybe twice, and she explained in fractured English that she was Karina's mom.  I don't think its a coincidence that she happened to be the housekeeper of the woman I work for.  That in itself was a sign to me that God does listen, and that he works in unexpected ways.  But she seemed thrilled to see me, and told Mrs. Buchman that Karina loves me.  I never would have heard that from Karina herself, and had stopped hoping for that kind of validation about all the time I spent with her.  She just didn't express herself that way to me.  It gave me both closure and confidence, and inspired me to continue trying to be a part of her life. 

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Memorable Moment #1

Mowing my grandparents' lawn today, I had trouble with the mower twice: a pretty average amount for me.  The first was after breaking a sprinkler (oops) and my Nana quickly got it working again.  The second time my Opa came out after many tries of my own (it's a little embarrassing needing so much help from grandparents) and easily got it going.  I asked, "So do you and Nana just have the magic touch?" "Nope." he answed, pulling back his t-shirt sleeve and flexing. "Muscle."