"Mom, you no unerstan me. I say, ...." at which point the idea they are trying so hard to communicate to me is repeated in their broken english. I try to follow them, and they are doing remarkably well with english, but there are still times when I simply reply, "Uh huh," or the perfectly noncommital, "Hmmmm."
The fastest things on two wheels these days are the "biker boys". Francis's therapist at Olathe Med and many of her fellow workers chipped in to surprise him with a NEW bike last Friday. They took their hands from his eyes, and he was so quiet. I don't think he knew quite what to think. Did he like it? Stupid question. He is in love and fortunately he obeys me and always wears his helmet. Salifu has had his new bike for two weeks. There already isn't much left of his training wheels.
So many people give to these children. In talking with Francis about his therapist's generosity, I suggested he give something to her. What could he give? We decided he could draw a picture and share that with her. He stayed up working quietly for the next 45 minutes at the small table in his room. He was drawing and coloring his creations. That will be on next week's agenda; getting some of these "thanks you's" done.
Wednesday, the boys found themselves in jail. We were guests of Officer Jeff Burvee of the Overland Park (Kansas) Police Department. (No, it wasn't on account of my driving.)
"This is where they bring the bad people." I said. "They have to wait here."
"Dey kill dem? De die?" Salifu's big dark eyes turned to me earnestly.
"No, Sal, the policeman doesn't kill them. He is good. He doesn't kill the bad man."
This young officer met the boys last Saturday and wanted them to come for a tour and meet the O.P. Chief of Police. This is such a positive thing for these little ones. To them, every officer or soldier is bad and a killer or out to rob you. They are incredulous that policemen are good people with families who smile and care for other people.
When it was time to go, Francis would hardly leave Officer Burvee's side.
"Me stay wit choo," he stated matter of factly. "You good."
Salifu joined in. "Me stay, mom. Me no go home. Me stay with offisaw."
I think Officer Burvee, the chief, and all the officer's that shook their hands made a pretty good impression on my little S.L. boys. That may have been the most important thing they did all day.
Later at Dairy Queen, we gorged on vanilla cones, the biggest we could buy. "I want ice cweem, mom. Big, big won (accentuated with large hand gestures ). Go up, up, up to Jesus. Den I open my mouf an I bite eet!"
Really, does it get any better than that?
Blessings,
Ann
PS: Salifu's surgery is now scheduled for June 21.