Birthday party///

A week and a half ago it was a special day. It was the third birthday of one of the little girls who had stayed at the baby house who came when she was a baby. She had gone home to live with her mother and step father. We were invited to share her special day. The Brazilian women that I work with were excited with preparations, ordering a birthday cake, making candy, sandwiches and bringing presents. They were like an unstoppable train of love that continued with determination. We all loaded ourselves up in the van, all of the babies in their best clothes and shoes, and set out only to get lost around three or four times. We finally found the right exit when the rain started pouring down. We were slipping and sliding on the muddy dirt roads when we finally found a small little house with the happy family inside. It was good to see our little girl happy with her mom once again. We shared some smiles and tears and left part of our hearts behind as we left to go back home. Getting stuck in the mud, one of the women got out and pushed, and I was in admiration of the other woman who drove with nerves of steel. We made it safely home with laughter and songs in the van. It was most definitely a memorable Saturday afternoon, and I remembered once again the courage of the women I work with and their love.