I still remember how it felt when our own girls started
calling us mommy and daddy. Ma-ma-ma or da-da-da. I was sure I heard them say
it, probably long before they actually did. It feels like nothing else to have
that connection. Now, with the granddaughters it’s the same thing all over
again, just different words and it come mostly via Skype or on the phone. Every time it makes
me tear up with happiness.
Would you believe that when one of our orphans in Haiti calls
me papa that it moves me that much too. They don’t call just anyone that and
none of them ever remembered their real father. It makes me feel all the more
aware how much they crave parental love.
The other day I was doing some work on my laptop and that is
usually a “group activity”. A ton of kids hang on my shoulders to either see what I type on the
screen or even better, look at pictures. No matter who is in the picture they
want to know names and what the occasion was. If the person in the picture did
ever visit Bohoc, they will say it even before I can. They never, ever forget
you! You are part of their family now and they want to know all about you. It
blows my mind how they can keep up with it.
Not only the kids but many of the adults in town will come
to me and say things like: How is Doug, when is he coming back? When is Sarah
coming again? How is Ms. Beth? Believe me they will ask about so many, you have
no idea!
That’s what I mean with relationships. You are part of their
life now and I hope they are part of yours. They love you! You know their
circumstances and their needs. That’s why I jokingly tell new team members that
their life as they know it, is about to get ruined. You can never forget this
anymore, you are a different person.
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