a gold medal day
Krista
April 30, 2019
Relay races with colorful balloons squeezed between legs. Ping pong balls balanced on plastic spoons. Time for fun and games with children at a Compassion project in Oaxaca, Mexico. Chaos and…
a small world
Krista
April 11, 2019
In the little grocery store, we purchased beans, oil, and rice. We added sugar, once rationed, to our basket along with a sweet treat: lollipops. With our box of staples…
love came close
Krista
March 31, 2019
The two towns appeared close; approximately an inch separated Arusha and Karatu in Tanzania. ‘One inch’ translated into a three-hour drive, one way. Better map-reading would have allowed fear to…
highs with lows
Krista
March 1, 2019
His excitement was palpable. “In March, I will be 11 years old and I’m going to get a chocolate cake.” Israel lives in Peru and shared his chocolate news with me…
matters of the heart
Krista
January 31, 2019
The thick envelope exposed the secret. In addition to a donation request, the American Heart Association enclosed return address labels decorated for Valentine’s Day. “Be Mine” and “With Love” written…
a handsome charro
Krista
December 30, 2018
My heart smiled as Angel beamed under the large sombrero. For his school’s dance, Angel dressed as a charro, a traditional Mexican horseman. His letter offered happy words and pictures…
invitations
Krista
September 22, 2018
No fanfare, wax seal, or calligraphy adorned the cream-colored envelope. Inside, a folded 8.5 X 11 piece of paper extended a grand invitation. An invitation to connect with a child.…
choosing to see
Krista
August 19, 2018
Ethan could have missed it. He could have been too naive, too overwhelmed, too selfish, or too young. Instead, Ethan chose to see. In 2017, Ethan and his father visited…
the face of rejection
Krista
July 13, 2018
With a furrowed brow and curled lips, his chubby hand extracted the orange bite. A quick taste was all my 16-month old grandson needed to reach a verdict. Rejection. I grabbed…