She's Beautiful

As she reached out her hand to grasp the one next to her, I watched as the other child pulled theirs away, not phased she reached again and my heart began to crack as the other child switched places in line. I called for them to go back to their place and hold hands with her and my blood boiled as I watched the other child stick their tongue out and shudder as they placed two fingers in her open hand then draw them back laughing. Like a mama bear I ran to her defense and after an apology had been given my heart completely broke when I turned back to see her smiling her wide toothy smile that reaches her big brown eyes; not the least bit phased as she's dealt with this her whole life.

I love this little girl.

She's beautiful, in her little short dresses, frilly socks and short; sometimes clipped and ribboned hair, she greets everyone with a smile and no matter what is going on in her life; if you ask her if she's ok she will always reply that she is doing well. I'm always ecstatic to see her as she seems to fill the whole yard with sunshine when she walks past the tall black gate and comes running into my arms. Her little brother shortly behind her; she always makes sure he has time with Hope too.

She's beautiful, from the inside out she seems to glow with constant happiness and love. She loves to sit with me as we play Giant Duck Duck Goose or she waits her turn for Bike Races. She snuggles close watching intently and helping to cheer people on. A small giggle will escape her lips as I tickle her; but the longer I tickle her the bigger it grows until it's a full laugh as she squirms on my lap, her little nose scrunched up and her head thrown back.

She's beautiful and gentle; her small hands always manage to find my long bangs that are pulled back, gently she braids or twists the strands, the only time I've seen her snap is when someone grabs it from her and she knows it hurts me or they begin playing with my ponytail and are not as gentle as she is.

She's beautiful and her heart is kind; as she's chosen last and her partner is rarely thrilled she gives them an encouraging smile. When they shove her away from them she innocently steps forward to see and fix whatever she's done wrong; though there isn't a mean bone in her body. As I watched this scene play out in dance class I couldn't take it and as class was already underway, her partner was sent to time out as I took her partners vacant place and danced with her instead. Though she's one of the youngest in the class she picks things up quickly and will say the motions in both Kreyol and English. After the class finished, I pulled her partner aside and talked with her partner; however when she was told to apologize she refused. Hurting, I apologized for her and then with a conflicted mind I asked her partner whether she thought she should be allowed to ride a bicycle today, to which she slowly shook her head "No." However; I felt the choice was up to her partner and my eyes filled with tears as I asked the question and immediately she nodded a vigorous "yes" I gently kissed her forehead and whispered in her ear that she was the most beautiful little girl.

It's easy to retaliate; to push back and say "I deserve better than that!" after all it's the survival of the fittest that we're trying to achieve out there right? Oh, wait; no, no its not. People have a way of annoying, frustrating and hurting us and we find it easier to "Get even" rather than "Forgive 'em". We let these little and sometimes big issues blind us from seeing the opportunity to be light in a dark situation. Light is warm and inviting not harsh and condescending. When children pull and twist her finger she could push and pull right back, when children refuse to hold hands she could get angry, but this beautiful Haitian girl has chosen to be more than that. She is a living example of "Do unto others as you would have them do to you", a shining example of love and grace.

 She's treated differently all because of a small 6th finger on her left hand connected to the knuckle of her pinky finger.

"Hold hands because it keeps you close with the people you love" This has probably been said before but this came to me the other day as I was thinking of the lessons all the children in my life have taught me. I love this little girl and I know her Father loves her and holds her hand gently in His own in a daily basis.