the best memory ever

story time:
I had only been here about seven-ish weeks, Laura had been gone for only a week or two and I had my first new boy to greet.  I didn’t know exactly how to welcome him, not sure what the tias had or didn’t have to give him and such.  So I say hello to him and give him a hug then try to fit him for a shirt and pants, which was a bit challenging b/c he was really big and built.  Well, about a week goes by, he’s starting to get his feel for the centre and understanding the ins & outs, of which I’m sure the boys’ explained to him.  He’s come to the afternoon program, gone to church and maybe school –can’t remember if it was out by then? 

One day, as I’m walking up to the dorm under the heat of that blazing afternoon sun, this little boy comes running up to me.  As he’s speeding away from the dorm he looks up at me and smiles, grabs my hand and turns around to walk with me to the dorm.  I about melted to the ground in a puddle.  Up until that point the boys had held my hand often, but it was only because I was a new person not because I was me.  Well this time, it was because I was me.  It was Naftal.  I loved that day.  I wrote it down in my heart the moment it happened.  I knew then how special it was and I know now how even more special it’s become.


it was the first great memory I made at the centre