A Letter From Peru

Where does the time go? I apologize to the friends and family that enjoy reading here but life has certainly been busy. Somehow the days have blurred by and suddenly we are days away from Thanksgiving. I have never really given the holidays much thought in the past. In the time I’ve been in the Navy, I have spent a majority of them hundreds of miles away from family and they have passed by like just another day. But as a young mother, I am seeing things with the eyes of a new spirit. I am motivated to create our own traditions, forge loving memories and stories to share with Rose when she’s older. For years I thought I was immune to holiday cheer but as it turns out I was just waiting for the right inspiration.

We are celebrating Thanksgiving this year at our home, surrounded by family and I couldn’t be happier. It’s going to be a crowded house but a warm and joyful one. And as I stop to think about what this day is supposed to mean, I feel so very blessed. I won’t go on and on about all the things in my life I am grateful for, however I will say that I am indeed content with what I have. And while I think Facebook memes are usually quite ridiculous, seeing everyone post daily about things they are blessed for is something I wish I could see more of.

 On the subject of blessings, I got a letter in the mail yesterday that nearly moved me to tears. It was a handwritten note from the mother of my sponsored child, a four-year-old girl named Rosa. Along with it was a beautiful drawing from Rosa. The letter came to us all the way from a small village in Peru where the sweet little Rosa and her mother live. Our two families were brought together through Plan USA and in the short time I have been a sponsor, it has been such a delight. I will be writing more about this amazing organization soon but for now I just want to say how thankful I am for the work that they do.
 
As I read the letter in Spanish over and over, I felt my heart being pulled by this sweet girl. Rosa is only a few years older than my own little Rose but she was born in vastly different world. I am grateful our paths have crossed and that my family can help her grow. It is one of my biggest wishes in life to someday visit her, to hear her speak and give her a hug in person.