my orphan

Dear Maria Clara,

In a few weeks you probably won't remember me anymore, but I'll never forget you. I still remember the first time I saw you. Pastor Rony said they had babies in a nursery and I snuck off quickly to find me one. From the first time I laid eyes on you, I knew you were "My One." The one person I wanted to love on each week, to pour into and pray for, to cuddle with and snuggle and let you know you are loved.

Granted, you were six months old when I met you, and now you're eight months. You still don't really walk or talk, but you snuggle really well and fit in my arms just perfectly.

My team even says we look alike…if I were 8 months old and Guatemalan, I guess.

I was told you came here to the orphanage when you were four days old, and your ears were already pierced. I wonder if you already had baby acne then too. You pick at your scabs, just like me, and your skin is prone to irritation, also like me.

We have a similar nose and a smile that changes our whole faces, well… when you feel like smiling. You like to be thrown up in the air, and you like riding my knee as a horse. You are one of the most observant babies I've ever seen, always eager to see what's going on and never wanting to rest or sleep, lest you miss something.

They call you La Gordita, but I just call you my baby. My sweet, precious Guatemalan girl, who I will never forget.

I don't know much more about you, except that the first time you fell asleep in my arms, I knew you trusted me. My team tells me last week when I was sick, you looked around for me, and were not content in anyone else's arms. This week, in our last hour together, you fell asleep again, and I sang sweet songs of the Lord over you.

Sweet baby Maria Clarita, I hope you know you are so so loved. I hope you know your Daddy in heaven loves you and will never leave you. I don't know why your parents gave you up, but I'm glad the orphanage you live in is nice and has lots of nuns who seem to love you especially.

I will miss you more than words can say. If the Guatemalan adoption process weren't so loopy and I were married, I would bring you home with me as soon as I could. At it is, I will never forget you. And neither will your Heavenly papa.

Love you, baby girl.

Glenalyn