presents for the kids

Before Christmas, I got in touch with St. Charles Children’s Home in Rochester, NH, inquiring what the kids might need for gifts under the tree.

Three specific items were requested… two pairs of sneakers and a Patriot’s blanket.  I promised to get them there before Christmas.

The next day I got in touch with your Mom & Dad and asked if you might want to wrap one of the presents and join me, Ben & Emma when I brought them to the Home. You decided to join our little posse.

When I picked you up at your house, we were alone on the ride to the Clickman’s.  I asked you if you knew what an orphanage is and you answered, “Yes, it’s a place where kids live who don’t have any parents.”

I said, “That’s right… how do  you know that?”  You replied, “My Daddy told me.”

“Did you guys talk about it?”

“Yes.”

I pressed for more detail: “Do you know the name of this orphanage
we’re going to?”

You paused. I looked in the rear view mirror and saw your expression.

“I don’t want to talk about it any more.”

I was stunned by this response… really surprised.  So I probed again… “What do you mean Camden? You don’t want to know the name?”

“I don’t want to talk about it anymore because it makes me so sad I want to cry.”

How precious is that?