Little Emmanuel became known as the mayor of the unit. Standing only a couple of feet tall he had the presence of a 6 foot tall charismatic man. He would wave at all the patients and staff as he made his rounds of the unit each day and when you would wave back he would often decide he would trump you by waving with both hands. He liked to snack on cereal and the like and if you came near him while eating he would try to feed you too and often wouldn't take no for an answer. Emmanuel like many other children suffered severe facial fractures and injuries that will require long term reconstruction. His mother like many mothers on the unit became like a den mother of sorts looking in on those children that weren't fortunate enough to have a family member or escort with them. The time came for Emmanuel and his mother to be discharged to an on shore facility for his follow on care. The mother became very emotional upon leaving and in Creole wrote a letter to the staff that was then translated into English.
In it she wrote, "I say thanks to God for all the good things he has done. Thanks to everyone on this ship for their help and their kindness to the sick. Thanks also for their patience from the doctors, nurses, corpsmen and everyone that has been around to show love, support and concerns. Shall God bless everyone of you and give you protection as He will bless Haiti and the people of Haiti."
The letter goes on for another page or so. I thought I was going to have to be peeled off the ground after reading it was so heart felt. But the truth is I am the one that feels grateful. Grateful to have been a witness to such courage and grace in the face of adversity and suffering. Grateful to all the Haitians that helped make our jobs a little easier by helping with the unaccompanied minors. Grateful for the experience and lessons embedded in it...
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