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Our taxi stops at a busy intersection in Addis, and a little boy selling tissues sends me scrambling for the granola bars to which I’d rubber-banded a few birr, and upon getting the treat he gives a whoop and starts to leave but then comes back to ask for the tissues back, and this show of chutzpah provokes a grin from both me and a respectable-looking lady walking by, and he waves whooping across the street at friends and suddenly the window (open a foot) seems open way too wide because within seconds there are half a dozen hands reaching in and I give out my last two granola bars and hold my hands apart to show I have no more, but a keen-eyed dirty-faced urchin sees the corner of more birr peeking traitorously out of my jeans pocket, and implores piteously and I feel ashamed at begrudging people in rags a few cents and I turn away to sort the 1’s from the 100’s and hand out a few 1’s and then a few more and still they clamor, even the boy who began this all in the first place, looking as desperate as the ones who’ve gotten nothing, and I’m fed up and want to drive on but unfortunately we are at one of the handful of stoplights in Addis and so we are stuck, and I say no and tuck my money away because my very last birr would never be enough and tears spring to my eyes and I say no again a dozen times with my hands over my face but still they clamor until finally the light turns green and we can leave and my newly adopted 11 year old daughter pats my shoulder with a giggle and says, “Mom,
More word-snapshots from Ethiopia
Unphotographable: Views from Addis
Unphotographable: Babies in a Bed
Unphotographable: Flip Flop Girl
wow. that last line got me. mary – thank you thank you for sharing this journey.
Oh mann! It gets me too!
The story got me, but so did the fact that she comforted you! It seems you have a truly caring new daughter! I have been following this journey of yours with great interest and you have brought tears to my eyes several times over the last few days. People from all over the world are thinking of and praying for you and your family right now- those little girls sure lucked out with the family they got and it sounds like you lucked out too!
Mary, I remember all too well how that feels. We had a VERY similar experience while in Ethiopia giving away the snacks in our backpack and money and feeling sick as I watched those poor children gathering and begging and wishing we wouldn’t be stuck in traffic anymore. Those times never leave your heart.
It shows real character that you did give, so many people have hardened hearts.
The last line says a lot about your sweetie, what a wonderful new addition to the family!
Your daughters response was a such a mature, precious, wonderful way of communicating her affection and understanding of you! THANK YOU, again, for sharing!!! : )
very moving.
Beautiful, I love how the sentences tumble like the children piling up at your window.
And your daughter is such a sweet-hearted girl, isn’t she!