Since I last updated this blog, on the two days of work last week, I attended two positive meetings that gave me a sense of encouragement that certain situations would improve for the children at Kay St. Anne. Some of those improvements were put into place almost immediately. It was difficult to say "orevwa" to the children and to Haiti. I already miss them; young children can grow so much in one month and one week.
On Wednesday morning, after some confusion regarding my prearranged ride to the airport, I left Haiti. The flight from Haiti to Florida is considerably shorter than the flight from Florida to Providence. I arrived at my parents' house in Rhode Island on Wednesday evening. There were many things to do in preparation for the wedding. We have relatives visiting from Ireland. It has been wonderful to see so many relatives and family friends during these past several days. My sister Erin and her long time boyfriend were married in a beautiful ceremony yesterday at the historical towers in Narragansett Pier. They seem happy, and I am happy for them. We followed the Irish tradition of "afters" which means having a party following the wedding reception; it was entwined with the American tradition of the fourth of July celebration. We had delicious chowder and clamcakes, a real Rhode Island specialty. As the wonderful day of celebrations came to and end we could see fireworks near and far over and around Narragansett Bay.
I feel like I am a world away from Haiti, although I often find myself wondering how the children are doing and praying that all is well with them.
Often kind and caring people over the past several days have asked me, "How's Haiti?" Certainly it sounds like a simple question but there is no simple quick response. Nothing comes to mind that accurately captures the situation in Haiti well especially when one is greeting guests at a wedding, a rehearsal dinner or a fourth of July party.
For the next month or so I may not be updating this blog every week, (perhaps a brief update from time to time but I am not committing to it) while I am on vacation, participating in the province chapter for my religious congregation, and on retreat. Weekly updates will resume in August when I return to Haiti.
Enjoy these summer days wherever you are!
