A Birthday to Remember

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 30^th 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.