This is Abby:
When I got to Borongan, Abby was just 1 year old, but she had her second birthday in January. She is the light and joy of every single person in the Oikos family. Abby has allergies to some foods and to the heat, which I am sure you can imagine is quite difficult to live with in the tropical environment of the Philippines. However, she is happy and sweet...she instantly cheers up whoever she is with no matter their mood!!
At first, Abby was very shy of me. She wouldn't even look at me!! She would be all happy, then see me and close her eyes and cry!! Being someone who has just about instant likeability with children, I didn't feel too good about Abby's fear of me! It took about 3 months for Abby to warm up to me, but when she did, we became best friends!!
I miss Abby so much!! She was just beginning to talk...and I taught her to speak her first English word: "you"! Me: "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with..." Abby: "You!" We also would sing "Alleluia" together!! Abby may have been shy in the beginning, but as soon as she knew me well enough to trust and like me, she would give me the best hugs and lots and lots of love!!
The following is a video of a dance the young boys of the Poor Household of God Mission danced for me for my going away party. The boys are totally cute, but pretty soon, as you will see, Abby comes in and steals the show!! You can see her joyfulness in the moves she makes...her body twists and grooves in ways that should be impossible!! She has brought me so much laughter. Here is the video: https://youtu.be/12UqToqhnSM (Video credit: 10 year old Angel...the last part is a little crazy, but it is worth the viewing!!)
If the phrase "Children become what they live with" is true, and I believe it is, the joy and radiance of Abby is a result of being around such joyful and radiant people. I live with and among many happy and loving people in Buffalo, but it is just different in the Philippines. I am looking forward to going back, to being with all of the beautiful people in the Philippines, especially my peeps in the Oikos Family. I am just wondering, over the past few months since I have been gone, has Abby forgotten me? Will it take another three months until I get the hugs and the love again? I hope not!! xxoo
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| For Abby's second birthday, I made a "pizza cake" for her!! |
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| Abby with Sister Minerva in the kitchen, waiting for breakfast! |
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Every morning Abby says Good Morning to Our Lady of Fatima!
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