Ten

There's a little boy on the other side of the world, who is sitting in a crib right now.  Because he can't yet walk, they won't let him play on the floor.  It's part of their culture. It's likely he's not walking because they won't let him out of the crib to strengthen his muscles.  Vicious cycle.  He may or may not have any toys to play with.  Depends on whether the caregivers thought to give him any.  He might just sit there, looking at the walls.  Thinking. 

He's watching the door.  Wondering if today could be the day.  He's wondering where his mama and papa are.  When they will come to rescue him.  And tonight, he will go to bed, disappointed again.  He'll wake up tomorrow, and repeat it all.  Sit, hope, watch, wonder, disappointment, sleep.  It's been his life every day for six years now.  And that would be his future too.  No education, no therapy, no possibility of a job, marriage, family.  Just a crib.  And the walls.  And disappointment.  How much sadness can one little boy's heart handle? 

In a week and a half, we will fly out to get him.  To rescue him from his crib, from his life.  We will give him what he needs.  A family, so much love, an education, therapy, hope, a future.  In two weeks, we'll walk through the orphanage door and he will be brought to us.  As he is brought down the hall, he still won't know what's going on.  He won't know til he enters the room and is told.  He'll be told that today, he's been chosen.  That today, his mama and papa came.  That he's coming to America.  He'll know he now has a mama and a papa, six siblings, a big house, a school, therapy, a church, and more toys than he's ever seen in his life.  And absolutely no crib in sight.  I can't imagine what thoughts will race through his head, what emotions, what hope, and yes, what fear.  Can there be any greater joy for a child? 

Two thousand, two hundred and seventy four days spent in a crib. 

Ten more to go.  Just ten more.