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What’s wrong with this picture? No one is smiling!
Anyone who has ever been to The Wat Opot Community would know that a picture like this is almost impossible to take with our children. My first impulse was to delete the picture because it was suppose to be a lasting reminder of the day when Baby Cheap, who is sitting on my lap, left us to stay permanently with her new adoptive mother.
Cheap had come to us as a new born baby, her mother died a few weeks later and so we knew that she would very likely be adopted out... but none of us was expecting it to happen so fast.
When I called the kids together, I was expecting to get a beautiful final picture of our loving family on this very special day, but what I got was anything but happy. When I looked at the picture again however, I saw the Love I was hoping to capture, not in smiling faces... but in the unity of sadness because we were losing our baby sister.
It was a difficult morning for all of us but by afternoon things were getting back to normal and so I asked some of the children how they felt about Cheap’s leaving. Here is my rough translation of some of their responses: |
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Mr. Ros Em / 11 years
“After ageing for a time, painful events in life. , often become our fondest memories; someday we will all look back on this day and smile.” |
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Ms. Mao / 5 years
“Actually darling, I never understood all the fuss over her, she was cute but took far too much of the spotlight away from real beauty.”. |
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Mr. Chanthol / 8 years
“In the End, all of life’s experiences are only stepping-stones to that which lies beyond. It is time for all of us to move forward.” |
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Ms. Srey Nou / 9 years
“The advancement of any Khmer woman is a step forward for all women. I wish her success and happiness in her new home.” |
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Mr. Ya / 11 years
“Some think that she’s lucky, but as I see it... life is what you make it. We have just as much to be happy for here, as she will have in her new home.”
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Ms. Srey Nak / 5 years
“I am going to miss her a lot… but if she can make something from her new opportunities, I will be happy for her.” |
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Mr. Phanja / 7 years
“Okay, so you caught me crying... but I believe that tears are just like raindrops to a flower, you can’t grow much without them.” |
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Mr. Nymol / 9 years
“When life calls for tears, go ahead and cry... but when it is all over, dry your eyes and smile again because life is too short to dwell on the sad things.” |
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Mr. Leet / 1 year
“She was always just one step ahead of me and everyone expected me to catch up with her. Maybe now I can set my own pace... still, I will miss her.” |
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I spoke with her just a short time before her adoptive mother came to pick her up and she gave me this response:
Ms. Cheap / 1 year
“They can take me out of Wat Opot, but they will never be able to take Wat Opot out of me. I shall return!”
And we have no doubt that she will do just that. Last we heard Baby Cheap was settling in to her new environment just fine. Knowing her, she will soon be running the household. |
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And there you have it folks… another ending to another chapter in the continuing story of The Watopotian Community.
For those who support us with your prayers and chants, we sure do appreciate it, and for those who contribute financially, may you receive a double blessing in return.
If you have never done anything for us but would like more information on how you can help, go to CONTACT INFO and follow the directions or simply punch the PAY PAL Button on the bottom of the WELCOME PAGE.
That’s it for now... sure would Love to hear from you sometimes soon.
PEACE...
Wayne Dale Matthysse Co-Founder / Advisor Partners in Compassion / Cambodia
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