Dear Harry
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Dear Harry,
Today was your first official day after your first official night in Kopila Valley. You and I went to drop the children off at school and then we walked up to the medical clinic and got some medicine to kill the worms in that very swollen little belly of yours. Then you took a two-hour nap while I went out on the scooter to look at a beautiful piece of land for our new school that you are going to study in one day when you're a little older.
You've been through a lot these past few weeks and I know how scary it all must have been for you but I want you to know that you're safe here and this is your home. We have a lot of people to thank for your making it here safely; neighbors and villagers, police officers, and even the big scary men from the government but mostly I'm proud of your sister S for taking care of you, protecting your life, and being so, so brave. I can see how much you love her. I saw how your face lit up when she came home from school and I see how you smile when she walks in the room and then I smile too because I'm reminded that the love between siblings is special and blessed.
We've never had a child as young as you in our home and it's going to take some getting used to. I didn't expect this at all but I'm trusting and I'm sure that you came here as a gift to our family to teach us more about what it means to love.
Love, Maggie