Natali

I have never met anyone like Natali. She is five years old, and is everything a child is supposed to be - curoious, generous, gregarious, mischievious, lots of other "ous" words. She was the first face at the door every morning we came to Hogar Di Ninos (HDN) and the last to go in when we left. I thought her name was No-Natali, because the most common phrase heard at HDN is "No Natali, no!"

If you knew what had happened to Natali, you would be amazed. I am not going to tell you everything, just rest assured she is miracle of God. She has been neglected, abused, forgotten and ignored. At HDN she is loved. For who she is, as who she is. She gets the run of the school because, as a result of her abuse, she has trouble sitting still. Here in the states she would be labeled ADHD and given Ridilin. At HDN she is allowed to move around and be Natali.

On Thursday at lunch time Natali sat with one of our team, Dick Rogers. Dick and Natali were sharing a bag of potato chips during lunch. Dick gave Natali the bag and she ate a chip. Then she gave Dick a chip. Then she ate a chip. Then she gave Dick a chip. Until the bag was down to crumbs. She poured the crumbs in hand and scooped them all into Dick's mouth. She made certain Dick got the last bit. Then she smiled and ran off.

On Friday at Puca Sana Natali was sharing her ice cream with one of her friends. She had the biggest smile on her face as she did that. How many kids have you met that would share ice cream with another kid (with out being told to) and smile about it? Natali takes pleasure in sharing. It is who she is. Because of whose she is.

A friend of mine says you cannot out give God. I belive him now. I saw Natali sharing.