A Child's Face & Gratitude

This rambunctious bunch was my company Saturday morning for Mass and a Christmas presents-giving event and small party. These kids (ages ranging widely, from 3-17, and girls too) come from a home near my parish here in Guadalajara called Instituto Cabañas.Whatever struggles their little hearts have endured, whatever longings they carry due to their broken family structures were forgotten temporarily by the joy of each other and the anticipation for Christmas gifts. Please DO keep these wonderful youngsters in your hearts and prayers!

Truth be told, it was such joy to spend time with these kiddos! These small gentlemen were particularly keen in this photo "shoot". The one to the left in later photos even posed with a pseudo-heavenly posture, hands clasped, his glance heaven-bound! They're an absolute riot!

I've missed a family-like atmosphere! I was grateful to them, for their spontaneity, for their curiosity, for their most simple joy at Mass and enthusiasm for the gifts. Their company was great change of pace from a rather independent/solo schedule of driving to and from school, dinner on the road or home alone, and yet more time alone to finish work for classes.

Speaking about solo time, classes have finished and now only two more projects await next week. First semester of college is nearly to its close! Regardless, with 7 weeks until classes start again I anticipate plenty of freedom to write a lot more on this little corner of the web and further reflection from events past and this "solo" upcoming Christmas away from my parents.

Until Soon!