The Very Best Christmas Presents

In August we took a sister/brother duo, Any (Annie) and Jair.  They were here less than two weeks when their mother showed up at the gate with papers from the judge saying she had custody of them.  Everyone was heartbroken, especially Mirian, the housemother in the house which they lived. 

Within another week or so, the mother was seen begging on the streets and had taken the kids back to IHFNA saying she could not keep them.  The people at IHFNA were angry.  They asked us to take them back, but some more paperwork had to be done.  IHNFA said they were going to do a home visit and investigate the mother and all sorts of things.  We even volunteered to help them get some of it done because we wanted Any and Jair back.  Some of those things got done and some did not. 

There is a huge financial crisis in this country.  Many people at IHFNA lost their jobs and there was not vehicles available to do home visits and all sorts of stuff.  Typical red tape stuff.  Last week, Marc told the people at IHNFA it was a shame that those kids were not with us since where they were is understaffed.  They agreed.

When it gets this close to Christmas, we have learned we don't expect kids to be placed or containers to be released or anything.  This morning, Nicole was on duty and ran down here for just a few minutes to start a load of laundry.  She had barely walked in the door, when Cindy came down and said Any and Jair were here.  We looked at each other and then ran.  Sure enough, there was Any and Jair with six people from IHNFA.  They had driven here in one of those vehicles that was not available for home visits and such.

When we walked in, the whole house was buzzing.  The staff and the kids and the IHNFA people were gathered around the kids.  Mirian was beaming.  Absolutely beaming.  She was as radiant as any mother after childbirth and seeing her child for the first time. 

There was a stack of paperwork.  I asked if the kids were permanent placements and if there were birth certificates and shot records.  After I was satisfied with the answers, I began to sign and stamp where I was told.  The IHNFA people wanted to see the main house and the house where Any and Jair would live.  Mirian told Nicole and I thank goodness she cleaned yesterday.  Her house is never dirty.   Never.

The IHNFA people liked the main house, but they loved Mirian's house.  They were shown where the kids would sleep and the bathrooms.  They were very pleased.  Mirian showed little Any her bed and she hugged it.  Then we all went into the living room/playroom.  Cindy Portell, I wish you could have seen Any when she was that mural.  She ran over and touched some of the animals and just laughed.  Good hard belly laughs.  She touched the couch and her eyes as big as could be and laughed.  Then touched the table and chairs and laughed.  I had tears in my eyes.  To watch a child so thrilled with a sofa or a wall mural.

Any is pretty outgoing.  Jair is really scared and confused.  Understandably so.  Jair had the clothes he had on, one diaper and one change of clothes.  Any had the clothes she had on and nothing else.  Her dress was way too short. Her little feet were crammed into shoes three sizes too small.  Her toes were curled under. 

And we only thought we were nearly through with the Christmas shopping.  If I had made a list of all the things I wanted to do, going to Tegucigalpa to the mall would not have even been on the list.  But for these two little ones, it did not seem so bad.  I waited until Nicole finished her shift and we went together.  As I approached the mall I was sure both of us had lost our minds, until Nicole reminded me why we were doing it.  We bought brand new clothes and brand new shoes, just like the rest of the kids are getting.  It was so much fun.  Little Any was thrilled with a sofa.  I can't even begin to imagine her on Sunday morning when she has presents to open.

Casa de Esperanza has blankets, but Nicole wanted Any and Jair to have new soft blankets.  She bought each one a new blanket.  I was so excited to be ready to leave the mall at 5:15.  We didn't get home until almost 8:00.  Nicole wanted to present the new blankets tonight, their first night here.  Mirian had her four kids in her house and they were watching a movie there.  Nicole gave Any the new soft, pink blanket and she hugged it and wore it and spread it on the floor and laid on it.  She loved it.  She was so excited to have her own blanket.  Jair was in bed, but not asleep.  Poor little guy.  He is so scared.  He was crying and wanted to be held.  I hope Mirian gets some sleep tonight.  He was not as impressed with his blanket.

Any will be four in February.  She is the tiniest little thing I have ever seen.  She is wearing a 24 months.  Jair will be two later this month.  He is not much smaller than Any.  These guys need a lot of love and a lot of prayers.

Having a home and love is the best Christmas present these two little ones could receive.  And having them here, is the best Christmas present any of us could receive.  Welcome home Any and Jair.

Terri