I arrived at the malnutrition ward of the hospital only to find a little girl named Olive. And the connection we made is remarkable. Thus, this is a letter to her. I hope to come back for her in a year and share this letter with her. (forgive me because my thoughts in this letter are jumbled and they may be a bit confusing. I just wrote this, because I had to get it out)
Dear Dushimimana Olive,
I will never forget the day I met you. I walked into the hospital room only to find you sitting, perched at the edge of your bed, with her younger sister strapped to your back. Your eyes lit up as I walked into the small room. You ran over to me and grabbed my hand. I smiled gently and held your hand for a few seconds. There was something peculiar about you. I couldn't seem to take my eyes off of you. I felt a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach as goose bumps formed on my skin. I was confused and I did not understand what was happening. I tried to shake the feeling, but I knew there was something wrong. As I scanned the room, I could feel you staring at me. I hesitantly turned my attention to you and my stomach tightened as we locked eyes. And for a moment I peered into your soul. I looked into your eyes and saw a little girl crying out. There was something translucent about you. The feeling was so powerful that I could not speak. You glanced away after a few moments and stared at the floor. I stood in silence trying to understand why this was happening. I wonder if you could feel what I was feeling?
I wanted to know more about you. The atmosphere filled with an aura of sadness as you began to tell me about your life. I soon learned that you are an orphan. And that your mother died when you were a tender 12 years old. 12 years old is such a critical age in a girls life,( the peak of childhood and the verge of adolescence).You spoke slowly with your voice barely above a whisper as you talked about losing your mother. I know that pain all too well.
The connection I felt with you is truly beyond words. It was strange how your life seemed to parallel my own. It was as if I was staring at myself, eight years ago. I began to remember my own experience of losing my mother. My mind drifted back to a 13 year old me. I remember growing up wondering who would teach me all of the things that only mothers can teach little girls. And the thing I remembered the most was the disappointment I felt the day that rose-colored stain first appeared in my panties. The pain I felt was beyond measure. I remember lying in bed crying because who, but mother could teach me the importance of womanhood as it appeared as a stain in my pink panties. I wondered if you too had this same terrible experience?
Life without a mother is like being in an unknown land without a map. But you are finding you way, even in the midst of the wilderness. I know it is hard, but I pray that you will reach within yourself and extract the inner strength that I know you have. I know there are times when you want to give up, but I hope that you will continue on. I know there are moments when you feel like the world is against you, but I believe in you. I know you sometimes feel alone, but I am here now.
Olive you are such an inspiration. Your giving is selflessly.Your strength is unbelievable. Your spirit has endured, even in the darkest hour. And you are beautiful, in every sense of the word. You are my hero and I will NEVER forget you. I will carry your spirit of strength with me forever. And I will tell your story to all who will listen.
P.S. I will come back for you. I promise.
Love Always,
Your sister
Derrika
I wanted to know more about you. The atmosphere filled with an aura of sadness as you began to tell me about your life. I soon learned that you are an orphan. And that your mother died when you were a tender 12 years old. 12 years old is such a critical age in a girls life,( the peak of childhood and the verge of adolescence).You spoke slowly with your voice barely above a whisper as you talked about losing your mother. I know that pain all too well.
The connection I felt with you is truly beyond words. It was strange how your life seemed to parallel my own. It was as if I was staring at myself, eight years ago. I began to remember my own experience of losing my mother. My mind drifted back to a 13 year old me. I remember growing up wondering who would teach me all of the things that only mothers can teach little girls. And the thing I remembered the most was the disappointment I felt the day that rose-colored stain first appeared in my panties. The pain I felt was beyond measure. I remember lying in bed crying because who, but mother could teach me the importance of womanhood as it appeared as a stain in my pink panties. I wondered if you too had this same terrible experience?
Life without a mother is like being in an unknown land without a map. But you are finding you way, even in the midst of the wilderness. I know it is hard, but I pray that you will reach within yourself and extract the inner strength that I know you have. I know there are times when you want to give up, but I hope that you will continue on. I know there are moments when you feel like the world is against you, but I believe in you. I know you sometimes feel alone, but I am here now.
Olive you are such an inspiration. Your giving is selflessly.Your strength is unbelievable. Your spirit has endured, even in the darkest hour. And you are beautiful, in every sense of the word. You are my hero and I will NEVER forget you. I will carry your spirit of strength with me forever. And I will tell your story to all who will listen.
P.S. I will come back for you. I promise.
Love Always,
Your sister
Derrika
This is so powerful. I started to cry as I read it. I am SO glad that you are traveling the world right now and connecting with other souls. You're such a beautiful person with a sweet heart :)
ReplyDeleteawww thank you so much..that means so much to me <3
ReplyDeleteHUN COME BACK TO THE BLOG!!!!!!!!!!
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