The Day Will Come
Jen, come.
I am standing in the dark of the little room, turning to leave after saying goodnight, when Grace calls. I lean down to find her arms outstretched, asking me to lie down beside she and Lillian, for just one moment before they sleep.
Both girls scoot back to make room for me on the little pallet on the floor, the night’s cool moonlight forgetting to find its way to the one small window letting in the breeze off the field. Grace holds Lillian underneath, Lillian holds me and Grace extends her long, willowy arm across the both of us while I whisper in the dark.
Girls, the day will come when we go together on the plane, just the three of us. Can you understand?
I feel their braids move on the pillow as Lillian whispers back in her everyday quiet voice, “Yes.”
And then you will come and live in America and we will be neighbors and sometimes you will come to my house after school and you’ll open my frig to find something to eat and you’ll sit at my table and do your homework and talk to me and Madeleine. Because she loves you, too.
And every day you will be with your mother and sleep in your apartment and laugh with her and dance with her and have fun and be happy and be together. Forever. Forever. Forever.
And you and me–we’ll be friends for a long, long time until we’re all old ladies. Our whole lives. For years and years and years, we will be friends and we’ll remember these days when you were missing your mom, before I brought you home, before we were all together. Do you know what I am saying?
Yes, Grace says, her voice a little stronger than Lillian’s. Yes, Lillian whispers. Yes.
And we stay like that, holding each other, feeling it, imagining Odette, leaning toward the future, sinking deeper into hope for a long, long time.
July 13th, 2009 at 8:55 am
I can’t wait for everyone to be here… and celebrate with you all at least in spirit! I totally agree, the day will come! Sending hope thoughts!
July 13th, 2009 at 9:33 am
pure poetry
July 13th, 2009 at 9:54 am
This is a lovely post Jen. Pure.
July 13th, 2009 at 10:12 am
welcome back!
July 13th, 2009 at 10:20 am
I know you’re all anxious for forever to start. Hoping these next few steps are easier and not quite so slow.
July 13th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
You are putting your life to good use, Jen. Thank you for inspiring me today.
July 13th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
you leave me speechless, in tears quite often, in awe, jealous, happy to read you - to know you. thank you
July 13th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Why you got to go and make me cry like that;-) This antisipation is killing me.I can’t even imagine what it is like for you and it tortures me to think of what it must be like for Odette. So close, so so so close, one can almost taste it. Odette must just be devoring that beautiful pictures you took of her girls. My thoughts and prayers are with you guys.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
i’m in awe of you jen. Holding my breath with everyone else. xo
July 13th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Anything readers can do to help??
July 13th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Scoot back a little further and make a place for all of us on that pallet on the floor … oh can you imagine? There is no other place in time or space as that one, cocooned in arms and whispers and dreams that are coming true. Our love to all & many prayers.
July 13th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
What a beautiful post and gorgeous photo …
Am hoping that your homecoming left you with some space to rejuvenate YOU … and spend some time with your family as well. Take care of YOU and yours as much as you can bear to do so, with these two amazing girls depending on you as well.
July 14th, 2009 at 1:51 am
we are all right there beside you…our arms wrapped around you …walking this journey. xoxo
July 14th, 2009 at 3:15 am
Our hearts and hopes and love are with you all.
July 14th, 2009 at 4:30 am
What a wonderful blessing to reunite Odette’s family. A priceless gift, for all concerned. Hoping that last bit of paperwork falls into place very soon! xo
July 14th, 2009 at 10:56 am
This makes my heart full with hope. <3
July 14th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
you are so blessed to be following your heart. and those that you know…they are so blessed, too.
there are no words that can equal the good that you do for this world, jen lemen.
love to you.
peace to you.