April 15, 2009
Day 3 is in the books. Gladys was my translator today, giving Debie a break from two days of my attempts at humor.
She picked me up in the lobby and Santiago drove us to the community center a few minutes away. During the trip,
she told me that both Karilin and Gilma were waiting, had met each other, and were quite nervous to meet me (I seem
to have that effect on women...) I was unsure of how the girls would react at learning that their padrino was not theirs
exclusively. Evidently it did not matter at all. They got along just fine, thank you.
I mentioned in my previous entry that the first meeting is always a thrill. It goes without saying that today was no
different. These are two very sweet girls, which means that I am a perfect 12 for 12 so far. Something tells me my lucky
streak will continue unabated through Friday.
After the introductory hugs, gift exchanges (one cannot go wrong with jewelry), and a quick tour of the center, we were
off to the mall. First we hit the shoe store, and amazingly enough, they found what they wanted, tried them on, and
were ready to go within 10 minutes. These are not leisure shoppers.
Next we found some stores to complement the shoes with tops and jeans. I think they were actually in awe that they
were not only there, but could pick out whatever they wanted. The looks I got were priceless, as if they both were
saying, "Are you sure I can have this?" What could be more rewarding than giving something to someone
that actually needs the item and is grateful for getting it? To this group, that is a rhetorical question.
Tummies were beginning to grumble by this time, so we stopped off at a fried chicken place. I can´t stand the
greasiness of the stuff, but this isn´t about me. Grin and bear it, Steve! Since we were a party of eight, we ordered a
special combination in which everyone got two pieces of deep-fried chicken-like lumps and some rice. The added
bonus for this? None other than eight donuts, four chocolate and four glazed. Donuts for lunch. Are they kidding me?
Walking off "lunch" was accomplished with a trip to the zoo. It was just your average zoo in most respects, but it gave
me the opportunity to chat with the kids and field a bunch of questions. What´s my favorite color? Where do I live?
Do I have a girlfriend? Children of my own? I must say, kids the world over are naturally curious, and it is this curiosity
that breaks down barriers and allows bonds to form.
Leaving the bears, giraffes and lions behind, we headed for the grocery store. Two shopping carts, one for each family,
wound their way through the aisles. My guidance to them was simple: get what you need. It was interesting to see the
children taking the lead, pointing out items the mothers had missed. These kids don´t miss a beat. They´re not only
sweet, they´ve got something on the ball, too. They´ll need it, as Gilma is planning to be a teacher, Karilin a
pediatrician. They´re dreaming big, which means they haven´t lost hope in a brighter future.
The final goodbye´s don´t seem to get easier with practice. The children were grateful and held me tight, but they were
stoic in knowing that I was leaving. It was the mothers who were fighting back tears. I don´t know what it signifies, but
it seems right to me.
On the docket for Day 4 is Mildred, an impossibly adorable 9-year-old, and Johainy, a child that seems to be growing in
confidence and maturity, if her photos are any guide. Looking forward to it.
Day 3 is in the books. Gladys was my translator today, giving Debie a break from two days of my attempts at humor.
She picked me up in the lobby and Santiago drove us to the community center a few minutes away. During the trip,
she told me that both Karilin and Gilma were waiting, had met each other, and were quite nervous to meet me (I seem
to have that effect on women...) I was unsure of how the girls would react at learning that their padrino was not theirs
exclusively. Evidently it did not matter at all. They got along just fine, thank you.
I mentioned in my previous entry that the first meeting is always a thrill. It goes without saying that today was no
different. These are two very sweet girls, which means that I am a perfect 12 for 12 so far. Something tells me my lucky
streak will continue unabated through Friday.
After the introductory hugs, gift exchanges (one cannot go wrong with jewelry), and a quick tour of the center, we were
off to the mall. First we hit the shoe store, and amazingly enough, they found what they wanted, tried them on, and
were ready to go within 10 minutes. These are not leisure shoppers.
Next we found some stores to complement the shoes with tops and jeans. I think they were actually in awe that they
were not only there, but could pick out whatever they wanted. The looks I got were priceless, as if they both were
saying, "Are you sure I can have this?" What could be more rewarding than giving something to someone
that actually needs the item and is grateful for getting it? To this group, that is a rhetorical question.
Tummies were beginning to grumble by this time, so we stopped off at a fried chicken place. I can´t stand the
greasiness of the stuff, but this isn´t about me. Grin and bear it, Steve! Since we were a party of eight, we ordered a
special combination in which everyone got two pieces of deep-fried chicken-like lumps and some rice. The added
bonus for this? None other than eight donuts, four chocolate and four glazed. Donuts for lunch. Are they kidding me?
Walking off "lunch" was accomplished with a trip to the zoo. It was just your average zoo in most respects, but it gave
me the opportunity to chat with the kids and field a bunch of questions. What´s my favorite color? Where do I live?
Do I have a girlfriend? Children of my own? I must say, kids the world over are naturally curious, and it is this curiosity
that breaks down barriers and allows bonds to form.
Leaving the bears, giraffes and lions behind, we headed for the grocery store. Two shopping carts, one for each family,
wound their way through the aisles. My guidance to them was simple: get what you need. It was interesting to see the
children taking the lead, pointing out items the mothers had missed. These kids don´t miss a beat. They´re not only
sweet, they´ve got something on the ball, too. They´ll need it, as Gilma is planning to be a teacher, Karilin a
pediatrician. They´re dreaming big, which means they haven´t lost hope in a brighter future.
The final goodbye´s don´t seem to get easier with practice. The children were grateful and held me tight, but they were
stoic in knowing that I was leaving. It was the mothers who were fighting back tears. I don´t know what it signifies, but
it seems right to me.
On the docket for Day 4 is Mildred, an impossibly adorable 9-year-old, and Johainy, a child that seems to be growing in
confidence and maturity, if her photos are any guide. Looking forward to it.