It's no secret that I love the kids from The Hole. They've wrapped their little arms around my heart and changed me forever. Normally, I post something on my little guy, Minino. But there's another little one that is making his way into the blogosphere.
His name is Simon. Almost four years ago when we moved here, Simon was pretty reserved. When all the kids jumped on the backs of the Americans, craving their love and attention, Simon kinda sat back and watched. Just like all the other "little guys" in the Hole, the big kids picked on him. But he's learned to fend for himself. A little on the angry side, angrier than you want a 6 year old to be, but totally sensitive at the same time.
Over the past year, I've seen a pretty good change in him. He would always give me a high five when I came to this place, but nothing to ecstatic. He's been fighting with kids less, crying less, loving more and best of all...he hugs me. The best hugs ever. Of course, I, being an obsessive hugger have been teaching him to hug, to love, with two arms. He would always give me one of those half-hearted, one-armed hugs. Totally not sufficient for some lovin'. But now, when I call out to my little Simon, he knows two arms, tightly wrapped around my neck is what I want. I don't have to teach him how to hug anymore.
Today, he was just sitting there. Hanging out. Eating an orange. I loved it. His dark little eyes, hiding a grin behind them. He knew before I walked up to him with my camera that he was a "photo opportunity." And there he sat, posing for me with his orange. Grinning a little. Hugging me with his eyes, instead of his arms. What an incredible journey we've been on. How both of us have grown over these last four years. I've learned so much from those little ones. How to love more deeply. How to live more freely. How to hug more tightly.
