I know this to be true, so perhaps this old adage will kick in tomorrow.
Cary and I were up at the crack of dawn to get to Nairobi National Park as early as possible. I texted Tony, who had arranged for a 28 seater bus, asking him to let me know when it left the home so that we could wait at the end of the Whistling Thorns road. He called right away, to say that Agnes had texted him, prohibiting us from going with the children to NNP. No reason, just pure maliciousness..taking her angst ~ whatever that may be ~ out on innocent children. I didn't handle the news too well. What mother would? I knew what the children's faces would look like when I'd have to deliver this news. Yes, it was as expected: forlorn, dejected and devastated faces surrounded us. I thought my heart would break. Used to this kind of let down and madness from Agnes, and true to character, the children switched gears fast, telling <i>me<b></b></i>: "It's okay. Don't worry".
We told the children we would go to town, purchase a great meal for them, and be back in a couple of hours. So, Lydia and Peresia came with us - it's always a treat to take the older ones on a shopping trip. They are so helpful, and always conscious to tell us which children need the most. They will easily give up a gift so that one of their brothers or sisters can get what they are really lacking - socks, a sweater, a new pair of shoes - whatever. They take care of one another before thinking of themselves.
We filled the basket(s) with gum boots for the older boys (they all have them now), bath towels to replace the shredded ones they have, toiletries, juices, milk, basins, much needed utensils, biscuits, bread, story books, more coloring books, 3 pair of shoes and....cake. 2 big birthday cakes. Who cares if it wasn't anyone's birthday - it was simply a cake-kind-of-day. On the way back through Kiserian, we picked up 10kg of nyama choma, perfectly cooked. (One goat). Sho-Sho was back at the home, preparing rice, ugali and sekuma for our feast.
Everyone's mood was back to normal. The resiliency of these children is quite remarkable. Some wanted to talk about what had happened, but most already knew. Agnes was just being Agnes. These poor children were embarrassed by the director's unnecessary and cruel behavior, which saddened me greatly. Yet, they were able to rebound from a disappointment that I am still reeling from - 8 hours later, I am still choking back sobs.
Cary saved the day. She knows what makes these kids happy: water balloons. Tony, Sho-Sho and I sat back and enjoyed the show:
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| Preparing for battle |
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| Cary gets Emmanuel! |
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| Moses loading up on water balloons |
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| Gideon |
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| Gideon again, after he got Cary |
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| Jer, trying to be discrete |
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| Janet nails Cary! |
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| Linet |
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| Richard, running for safety! |
It turned into a wonderful day, despite the way it all started. The children were happy, exhausted and and completely content. Disappointments for these children occur on a regular basis. I watch them shrug them off - on one hand I am amazed at their resiliency, but deeply worried on the other. I worry about the effect these negative events have on them, on a deep and lasting level. It just can't be good..... the only thing to do is to continue to love, encourage and provide the necessary tools for survival.
Good night from Kenya ~
Nawapenda sana,
Simmie, Moses, Njoki and Moreen
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