BY EMILIE TURNER
The first day at Hanbury Home, I met a little boy named Paulton. If you have ever met a child in an orphanage, the first thing they often do is ask you for some material good. Paulton was different; he asked me for a hug. This little boy clung to me not because I was giving him candy but because I was giving him love and attention. I held him for two hours the first day and sang songs to him. I slowly began to realize that all the love I receive, I take for granted such as my mom’s constant text messages of how she loves me, friend’s hugs, or a simple pat on the back. I receive so much love on a daily basis and I don’t even realize it anymore; it is now just a part of my life. Then you meet a kid like Paulton and his face lights up when I grab his hand, or stroke his cheek or pick him up. These are the simple things that mean so much to an orphan because it shows you care and finally, just maybe, it means that someone loves them. I think the most eye opening moment came on the second day I hung out with Paulton. He was sitting on my lap when he looked up at me. He got this strange cross-eyed look on his face and the next thing I know he is popping my “squito bite” on my forehead. Let me tell you, this wasn’t a mosquito bite but he popped it and so much joy filled his face when he showed me the skin on his finger. As embarrassing as this was, Paulton let go and became so much closer to me. This was a simple thing. So you are probably wondering along with me, what is going to happen on my last day tomorrow when I have to say my goodbyes? I’m 19, so my hopes of adopting him aren’t realistic at this point. There are a few things I am going to do to make sure that the love this little boy has given me in the past three days doesn’t go to waste though. I am going to appreciate the love I am given even if it is a simple compliment. I am going to spread as much love as I can and make sure that no matter what, people understand that they are loved. Finally I am going to begin to appreciate the simple things in my life, all in the name of Paulton.
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