Though Haiti is often full of hard
work and heartbreaking stories, sometimes we have a lot of fun too. Today I wanted to write a quick blog on a fun
event that occurred this week.
Most of you have read about my special
boy Wadley. Wadley has had anything but
an easy life, especially for only being 12 years old. In a short recount, Wadley lost his family in
a truck accident, lived with an abusive aunt, and was diagnosed with muscular
dystrophy last year. As we get closer
and closer, I cherish the times that he opens up to me about his past, even
though it also breaks my heart. A few
months ago I asked Wadley about his birthday.
He said that he did not know when it was because no one ever told him
his birthday. At the end of every year,
he would just say he was a year older.
Well, this did not work for me. Everyone deserves a birthday, and everyone
deserves a big party!
Last Friday turned out to be a
pretty good day for Wadley. It started
off with no school. He spent the morning
playing with his friends (while I secretly worked on party decorations). Every Friday afternoon he and I go to
outreach therapy together. After
therapy, I sent him to play with his friends, and then the real work
started. Autumn, the occupational
therapist, Carlos, the physical therapist, and myself started decorating one of
the rooms. Wadley’s favorite colors are
blue and yellow, so all the decorations were blue and yellow! (Thanks mom for
sending those in!)
Next, all of the children who live
in the Miriam Center (the special needs home) came in to get ready. They were so excited. We passed out hats for everyone to get them
in the spirit. Then it was time to bring
Wadley in. I went to tell him we needed
him for something, and he walked into his first surprise birthday party!
It took him a little bit to figure
out what was going on, but once he did, he was the life of the party. There was cake, a photo booth, and lots of
dancing. Everyone had so much fun! Mom
had sent down sunglasses for everyone, and they were a huge hit. I have enjoyed watching these sunglasses make
their rounds through the campus the last couple of days. The other night a security guard was wearing
a pair, and I saw a couple pairs at church yesterday!
I had to laugh preparing for the
party about how you make do with what you have in Haiti. I wrapped Wadley’s presents in Christmas
wrapping paper and pink duct tape, but it worked!
While Wadley has many friends in
the Miriam Center, he also has many friends in the boy’s orphanage. I wanted to be able to include them too, so
Wadley made a list of some of his best friends.
These friends were all invited to a movie night complete with juice, snacks,
and a goodie bag! They all showed up all
dressed up and excited.
All in all, I am so thankful to
have been able to give Wadley a day for himself. I explained to him after it was all over how
now he can say that October 30th is his birthday. Though I cannot change his past, I can do my
best to make his present life all that it can be. It is an amazing thought that even our best
birthday parties in this life are a mere glimpse into the parties we will have
in Heaven. I hope and pray that everyone
reading this will be in attendance of Wadley’s heavenly birthdays, when those
days come. I know I am looking forward
to them.
