written @ the pool (1/15/09- 9am)

Here at the recreation center with the girls: Yovana, Margarita, Vaneza, Yhony, and Delia. It seems like a good program...although the pool looks freezing. On Tuesday Melinda and Clara went home. I saw pure joy that day. I´ll never forget Melinda´s adorable giggle. She was so excited. Her mom had come to visit the day before...along with her baby brother. I kept pacing by the door just to catch a glimpse of her playing with him outside...that laugh. I´ve never seen her so happy. I saw her, and she looked like a happy kid. She´s six. She was happy. And she was with her mom. When she left Tuesday, she had the biggest smile as she carried all her stuff to the taxi. Without a second glance behind her, they were both gone. I´ll never forget that lil´ rascal- with her crazy pigtails and how she always had her mouth full of food. She was pretty bad ass for a 6 year old. I don´t think she knows how much life she gave me, even just in the four months and a half of knowing her. She´s six. She has her whole life ahead of her. And I was lucky enough to sneak into an early chapter of her life and enjoy her glow. God keep her safe- her and Clara both. May they always feel loved and be comforted...especially in the hardest of circumstances.