Ripe Mango Chronicles

Yesterday was January 12, 2020. The 10 year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti. I've come to dread this date. I try to avoid social media on this day. I just don't really know how to handle the anniversary. Ignoring it makes me feel a little ungrateful, but acknowledging it just brings up a lot of bad memories I would much rather leave under the rubble. That being said, my children became mine because of this dreadful day, so there is a silver lining. So here we go; My annual earthquake entry. I am thankful I am alive. I struggle seeing myself as a survivor, but I could have died that day. Any number of different choices and I would not be here today. Every day is a gift. I am thankful the children and staff I was responsible for were safe. I am thankful I was able to care for and support the orphanage children and staff through the trauma. I see now how important that was for them, and for me, as someone who loves them so deeply.  I am thankful my (now) husba...

Tonight I read the following words in To the Land of Long Lost Friends by Alexander McCall Smith and it pierced my soul. In this fiction novel the main character, Mma Ramotswe, is visiting her friend who is the Matron of a large orphanage in Botswana.  During her visit she meets a toddler and hears the tragic story of her mother's death. Mma Tsepole is the housemother caring for the child.       Mma Tsepole turned away. She could not bear it; she could not bear it. And yet she had to, because this was her job and you could not allow your emotions to get the better of you. Others would have to do the weeping, because a housemother in tears was no help to other children. A housemother had to be brave.  These words took my breath away. I've wondered if I were heartless, if I had become hardened to the despair I was faced with every single day in Haiti. I wondered how it was possible to feel so emotionless, so often. I thought when I left the tears...

Merry Christmas to you and yours, We hope you have had a wonderful year. Ours was full and very exciting. On March 11 th we welcomed Alexander (Zander) Jeremiah into the world. He has been a wonderful addition to our family. He is a very happy and peaceful baby (as long as Mommy is around). He is 8 months now, has 4 teeth, is crawling everywhere and can pull himself up to standing. April 4 th was a very special day for our family; not only was it Kenol’s birthday, but Kenol and the older boys all became permanent residents of Canada that morning.   A day to celebrate indeed. We are so thankful to live in this beautiful, peaceful country. May we never take the privilege for granted. The boys also were granted US visas and are now international soccer players! Joshua and Olivier both play in leagues in the US as of this Fall. Joseph is now on the Regional team and will be playing as far as Toronto. Much of our life revolves around soccer; the boys train and play year roun...