Dear Evan,
I can still remember the first time I saw your face. It was like I had just found the final piece of a complicated puzzle. You were no stranger to me. My spirit knew yours and I knew that you were meant to be my son. I could not wait to hold you in my arms and tell you how much I already loved you.
Some people said that you were lucky to have us. But I knew, from the very first moment that I met you, that they had it backwards. WE were lucky to have you. You see, you have changed our lives and our hearts completely. You have given us new perspective. You have filled our days with joy and sunshine. You have made us want to be the best that we can be every single day. Your courage, determination and resilience has shown us that there are no limits to the things that WE can do. Your smile, your laughter and your zest for life, lights every corner of our lives and we are forever changed.
Yesterday, as I walked you out to the bus, I realized that it was not only our lives that you had touched, but the lives of everyone who has the privilege of knowing you. You see, Ms. Bonnie (even though she has not been able to drive her bus this week because of a hurt ankle) followed the bus to your stop today so that she could give you a gift and a hug before you leave for surgery next week. Ms. Lana was there too and she and Ms. Bonnie brought you this gift together. When you came home from school, your wheelchair was weighed down with more gifts and well wishes from your teachers, your aides, your therapists, your bus drivers, and your friends.
As I looked at all of the gifts that you had been given, as I visually took in just how much you are loved by everyone around you, my heart was filled with joy. My cup runneth over. And as I sat there with tears streaming down my face, I knew that, those who had given those gifts, that all of those who would be praying for you and wishing you well, had been touched just as deeply as I have been, by your presence in their lives. I realized then, that, they too, are forever changed because of the beautiful person that you are.
You are loved, Evan. You are loved.
3 comments:
Indeed Evan, you are loved by all who know you. I am so lucky to be one of them. Good luck on your surgery. You will be in our prayers and thoughts! We LOVE YOU!!
I love Evan, too! Is there anything we can do for you during the surgery? Does Evan need some more cookies? Perhaps I could feed the birds for him? ;o)
Dear Evan and Valerie,
Please know that you're loved not only by those who live near you, but by many people far away. I also remember the first time I saw you, Evan, and my heart was also touched. It was Inna, the director of that orphanage, who took me to you the very first time I met her. She had only one wish from me - that I would meet you and help in some way, somehow, to find you medical help and a family. She begged me on your behalf and as she did, I could watch her touch your cheek and show how much she, too, loved you. She truly worried for you and wanted desperately to help you find a way out of that orphanage, that tiny little town, and into a family. I remember the two old ladies who worked in your little room in the orphanange. I remember how on every single visit I made to see them, they asked their first question of me - did you find any help for our Evan (Valera)? They loved you dearly and like Inna, always told me over and over how proud they were of you, what a beautiful and intelligent boy you were. I can remember them lighting up and smiling and saying over and over, "Look! Look how intelligent he is, you can see it in his face!" They all adored you. I want you to know that today, the ladies in that orphanage sometimes gather around Inna's computer and look at your photos on your blog. They have cried to see what progress you have made, I was there in person to see that this summer. They always ask about you! You have touched my life and my heart, Evan. You have given glory to God's name, just in being you! I believe that you will continue to do this, you sweet boy, your whole life through. God has such special plans for you, as he did from the very beginning. I continue to pray for you often, and to thank God for the wonderful family he has given you. Watching your progress in life is a gift to me, and I will always hold you in a special place in my heart as well, that beautiful little boy I met that hot May day in a sad little town in Ukraine. A little boy that would not remain in that cramped little room for long, but would soon be placed in a new life to do the work God had for him. You are so special, and yes as your mama says (who certainly loves you most of all, because she is your mama!), you are loved.
Kelly, your special friend
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