When I was little and a stray cat would show up at our house, I would want to play with it, feed it and name it. And my parents, with my best interests in mind would tell me not to, so I wouldn't get attached, because we could never keep them. And now years later, here I am, in Uganda, getting attached.
There is one little girl in paticular, named Janette. She goes to school with Victory Outreach Church, so I get to see her whenever I work at the chuch or go to church on Sundays. There is a bit of a language barrier, but I just love being around her. I have become so attached to her, and she to me. She runs to me, excited to be held, and I'm excited to hold her. She pushes my hair out of my face, strokes it and tucks it behind me ears… And grins. Janette plays with my cross necklace in her hands… And looks up at me with a huge smile. She hugs me tight and I hug her. I spin her around in my arms and she giggles. Janette leans against my shoulder and I rub her back, the way I remember my mom would do to me. She sits on my lap and we recite her ABC's and numbers, and she draws a picture of Jesus (Yesu) on the cross in the dirt… And she looks at me all proud and happy.
Just writing this and reliving my memories with her is making me smile inside and out. I can't bear to think about saying goodbye to her, she's my little girl, my best friend. I am trying to spend as much time with her as I can, and make as many memories as I can. I am going to miss her so much, but I have learned so much from her, and I will never forget little Janette.
