Mother of the Year

I'll get back to the important adoption posts soon -- but tonight I write about winning the Mother of the Year Award.

We went to Cafe Roma, a restaurant just up the road from our Guest House.

We had been there a couple of nights ago and the kids enjoyed playing in the backyard where they have a sandbox, slide, trampoline, and swings.

Seth and Leah left for the playground almost immediately.  Shortly thereafter, I asked Zechariah if he wanted to go and he gave me his Ugandan eyes.  {yes}

I walked him back to the playground and watched as he settled in with other kids.

Then I left.

Tesney and I enjoyed a few minutes (maybe 15) of grown-up time before our food arrived and I went to get my babies.

On my way to the backyard, I saw Zechariah, off the side of the restaurant, facing the bricks, hands over his face, bawling.

It took me less than one second to realize what had happened and to feel quite miserable about it.

I swooped up Zechariah in my arms, held him tight, and headed for the table.

He and I snuggled the rest of the night.

He slept.

I chastised myself.

Dang it, I should know better.

Poor little man, so traumatized to think I had left him.

And yet, even still, so precious and vulnerable and ready for love.

*Zechariah Asaba Vincent Steiner*