Emotional Time

A few of you have asked how the presentation I attended was and all I can say is in one word "emotional". Margaret is such a down to earth and endearing person. The story she shared was SO inspiring. As she shared her story, I could relate in so many ways. I want to be Margaret when I grow up!

Anyway, along with the inspiration, it was so emotional for me to listen to her specifics about the Haitian people. I was a blubbering mess and just couldn't pull it together. I just couldn't stop thinking about our sweet Stevenson still having to live in this and all of the other kids we've met at his orphanage and seen on the streets during our visit(s) there. I especially lost it when she spoke of Cite Soleil which is the poorest part of Port-au-Prince (if you can even imagine that). She mentioned that someone said that Mother Theresa called it "the poorest spot on earth". I had not heard that before and it says a lot about the conditions there....

Cite Soleil is where Stevenson's Birthmom still lives and he spent the first four years of his life (as far as the records we have been given say). Here's an excerpt from Wikipedia "Cité Soleil (Kreyol: Site Soley, or Sun City in English) is a very densely populated shanty town located in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Despite its name, the area is generally regarded as one of the nation's poorest, roughest, and most dangerous areas; it is one of the biggest slums in the Northern Hemisphere. There is little police, no sewers, no stores, and little to no electricity".

This is where the "mud cakes" story originates as well. See http://whatiffoundation.org/2008/07/mud-cakes-become-staple-diet-as-cost-of-food-soars/
It's been a few days since I heard Margaret speak and also met her for the first time. What an experience - I hope to speak with her again and I hope Stevenson gets to meet her someday as well.

I encourage you to read her book - I wanted to share an excerpt with you that gives you an idea of her philosophy on life - the one she has gained through her relationships with the Haitian people especially Father Gerry, her partner in providing over 7,000 meals a week to the hungry children of Haiti.

"... Fr. Gerry turned to me and said 'We have a Creole saying I want to teach you. 'Piti piti na rive.' That means little by little we will arrive. One step at a time, Margaret. In Haiti, sometimes they are very, very small steps.' He laughed another of his full belly laughs. 'Sometimes we go backward. But it's important to keep taking steps, even though they are small. Never lose hope. Never give up. One day, maybe not during my lifetime, but one day, we will get there.'" p.78, "On That Day Everybody Ate", bu Margaret Trost.