Words like this always make me sad. I remember as a young girl, living out in the arm pit of hell, a neighbor kid whom I'd never seen outside, was shoved out the door. He was crying, bruised, malnourished and very dehydrated, fitted only in a dirty diaper. I guess I was about 12, not sure. The boy wandered around a bit than just sat down in the dirt drive way crying...quietly. Eventually, I made my way to him. He didn't know me, but he didn't hesitate, and put his hands up to me. I looked into those eyes and they were so sad. I picked him up and took him home. For a moment there, I thought I'd never take him back.
As my mother saw what I had done, she said we should return him. An hour had already passed and no one was looking for him. As my older sister and mother debated on what to do, I called the police. They came out and I was so scared. I was sure they'd say I stole the baby. Instead they took him away and we never saw him again. The neighbor lady was gone for some time and when she returned, she didn't have the little boy. She never said a word, or looked at us, and soon moved away. Saying good-bye to the little one I had only known for a couple of hours, was very, very difficult. He clung to me and I didn't want to let him go. The hardest part was never knowing where he ended up and if he was happy.
To this day, I hope that little boy made it to a fine and loving home. It would be "miraculous", if one child should be saved by a little girl calling for help.
I will always remember you little
Miraculous Manriquez as I think of this other child who just needed someone to notice him and care...kisses little one, be at peace.