A Day in the Park

Posted by Janet Varvel, Delegate





The weather was beautiful. Many of the trees in the park were allowed to grow tall and leaf out in long branches. It was set up like a carnival with rides and food vendors. The wide walk ways were clean and swept, and the park was full of little people, tugging on the hands of their caregivers.

We were in groups of about eight, half adults. Our children were kindergarten types, all clean and well dressed, from Saramoldaeva Orphanage. Smiles were everywhere. This was a happy day. As we went from ride to ride, the little ones began to smile at the new adult in their care.

Mine was Korman. Korman was happy and full of energy. We sat in the bumper cars together and I opened his ice cream. Korman was not happy at the helicopter ride, however. He got "stuck" without the steering wheel. He was just an angry passenger. I kept waving at each turn, me on the ground, he high up with quite a pout. Then it happened. I called "Korman" and at last he got a big grin on his face and waved. From then on that was the game - I would shout his name and he would wave and smile. Karina never stopped smiling - except when the bubble bottle was taken from her. Little blond with rosy cheeks.

They all tugged at our hearts and the time to part was wrenching. My favorite picture was big, tall Keith leaving the park holding the hand of one so small. That's the way we are with Dad sometimes, just one happy day in the park together, then he takes our hand and walks us home.