Which One?

Original post date = March 26, 2012.

Which one? That is the question I've been asking myself all morning. Which child do I hold? Every one of the kids clammers to be held. I pick up one, but for how long to I hold this child? Five minutes? Ten minutes? I wonder whether I should hold each child for a short time and be able to give everyone a chance to receive special attention, or should I hold just one child for a long time?

Which one needs the time to bond with a person in order to prevent attachment disorders and learning/social/emotional issues in the future? These thoughts ran through my head all morning as I tried to give attention to the kids. Especiallly the babies. Gertrude has brought home two babies since I was here last March. Both girls are about 6-7 months old. This is such a critical time for babies to be held so that they can develop "normally." Are there enough visitors who will come through to give these two little girls the "cuddle time" that they need? The workers are busy feeding, changing diapers, teaching, doing laundry,cleaning, and cooking--where will they find the time to simply sit and be with a child?

I think of the students that I've had who've been adopted from foreign orphanages and the challenges that they face because of the early months and years of their lives. Which ones of these children will face those same challenges because they've not been held?

However, I know that Gertrude's children are the lucky ones. They live in an orphanage that is WAY better than most in Haiti. They receive three meals a day and an education. They are held and played with everytime mission teams come to Notre Maison/St. Joe's.

It is good to be here and have time to just be. And while I am "being," I'll hold some kids and we can "be" together.