Tuesday, October 23, 2012

9 O'Clock on Saturday Mornings ... Day 18


Maya, Maya, do you know how much I miss you? I miss you slipping in at the side door and saying, "Good morning, Miss Karyn!" right off the bat. I miss the way you would tell me the best thing that happened to you that week at school. I miss hearing about your sleepovers and friends and sisters.

You were such a conscientious worker, checking all the sugar spoons and bowls and wheelbarrows to make sure they were clean; checking the bathrooms to make sure they had supplies; making sure the entry way and the bookcase and the piano were all tidy and the lamps were on. And through it all you would chat to me and I got to see the young lady that was emerging from the little girl who had first started to work at the TH two years earlier.

I loved how you were willing to step out with the TH staff for our Christmas events. I was so proud of you when we went to the Casbah Restaurant and you bravely tried everything that was served. And then you sat through the whole of Handel's Messiah at the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra even though it was way past your bedtime. You were just nine years old at the time ...








Last year when you and your Dad managed to come to Dickens' Christmas Carol for our TH Christmas Event I was thrilled to see how you dressed so beautifully for the occasion, and how your whole face was lit up with stars in your eyes at the end of the play as you confided that your favourite part was where the tea pot and cups kept dancing around  just out of reach of Scrooge ...

I am so glad we got to have our own Event together while Elliot and Oliver were in Israel. It was the highlight of my week! It showed me how much maturity you had - you chose the restaurant, you knew what you wanted to eat, and you had perfect table manners and conversation.
In the car, ready to go to Red Deer

The funniest thing of all, of course, was when you chose the steak and lobster entrĂ©e. "Grownups always talk about steak and lobster and I've never had it so I want to see what it is!" You were 10 ...


Steak and lobster!














The Chapters part of the Event ...







I can't believe you are 11. I hope you have settled in to your new home and new school. I hope that you are happy and that you have found somewhere to be of service in your new community.




On the drive home ...

Because that's what you did at the TH, you know. Sure, it was your job; but you did your duties with a cheerful and willing heart and that's what God looks at and when He sees that He brings His blessing to the person and to the place that the person is working. I have no doubt at all that God blessed kids that came into the TH because of how you carefully cleaned their area and put away books and toys and made sure their chairs were in the right place. I know Ed was blessed when you would say good morning to him the times he got there before you had left. (You also developed your social skills in talking with the people who would pop by to visit while just you and I were working - you learnt how to look them in the eye, say good morning, and chat with them. You are a natural!!)

Most of all, you were a great blessing to me. I loved to hear about how you sang in the choir or how you were in a play or skit. I loved to see how you love God.

I pray for you often and know that we will always be connected even if we don't see each other or chat very often.

And if you ever need a reference letter ...

10 comments:

  1. Oh Karyn, I am a puddle of tears reading this. Your tea house has meant more than a 'nice place to come and have tea' for our family. I miss having you in my little girl's life. You are a gift. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I miss you! I wish we were able to spend more time visiting with you when you weren't working. You must let us know when you are in Victoria. xo

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  2. Oh my heart, you captured many pictures of Her beautiful soul. Dear Maya, wonderful friend, you are so loved and missed..

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  3. So beautiful...as is she. Thank you Karyn!

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  4. So beautiful...as is she. Thank you Karyn!

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  5. She's definitely a gem. I miss that kid... and her whole family.

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    1. So I'm up a little late . . . early really. It's after 2am and I have deep breathers all around me. But I'm catching up with the lives of my friends. And I miss them. No regrets about where I am at, but I miss the easy tempo of our lives together: the ebb and flow of family and friends. Where there really isn't a difference between the two. Really, being able to choose friends, and adopt them as kin can sometimes play out easier than our blood ties! So do take good care of yourselves, till we look you in the eyes . . . and hug and laugh and cry until that ache is vanquished.

      Scott

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  6. Made me laugh about the 'steak and lobster' story.

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  7. Karyn, you are the awesomest mentor! Maya will make the world a better place, as you've helped bring out the best in her! Thank you!

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  8. Scott Johnston I had no doubt that Maya's time in your care and tutelage was one of the most precious gifts that she, or we as parents, have ever been blessed to receive. I am deeply grateful for your heart, for your love of my beautiful Maya, for the lasting imprint that you have delicately placed upon her spirit. She will carry this imprint of God with Us into eternity because you cared.

    Sniffle . . . I need a good cup of coffee . . .

    Scott

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