"Mary" Moments, Part Four

This "Mary" moment was probably the most emotional one of all. It happened so quickly but carried the deepest sentiment.

On Friday evening there was an adult Bible study scheduled at the home where we were staying with Pedro's brother and sister-in-law, so we decided to take some time with my parents and sister and allow the study to proceed uninterrupted. We ended up at a nearby mall with the excuse that we could use it to try out the new double stroller (which was a big hit with the boys, by the way!)

At the mall my sister Terri (aka, Ter-Bear) noticed a Build-a-Bear workshop. She has taken each of my kids in the past to make their own special stuffed animals and thought it would be fun to do the same with her newest nephews. Another mother with her son were in the shop as well, and I thought I heard them speaking Haitian Creole/Kreyol.

When Terri went to the register to pay, it somehow came up in conversation that our boys were recently arrived from Haiti. The other mom was within earshot and immediately approached my sister to say thank you. Terri re-directed her to me and with tears in her eyes, the woman hugged me and thanked me. She shared how the news of the earthquake had broken her heart.

Then, she knelt down and spoke to the boys in English. At first Ian, who was closest, rejected her. But when she began to speak in Creole, his eyes widened, his mouth dropped open, and he drew close to her for a hug. After a few moments of hugging him and softly speaking to him she said, "Ale, papa" ("Go to Daddy") and he returned to the safety of Pedro's arms.

We said hushed goodbyes as the woman left the store, obviously very emotional. We, too, were quiet as we absorbed what had just happened. Another "Mary" moment ... another memory to treasure.