Maria's heart's stolen by more tiny humans

Today, my heart was stolen by the seven month old who I held all morning. When I had to leave, she cried, calling me "mama". One of the workers teased about taking her home as if I wouldn't in a heartbeat. Another joked of how Im always ready to take one home considering how easily they'll call me mama. For Easter, we planned a candy hunt and egg dying celebration for the tiny humans at Heaven's Nest. They couldn't contain their excitement as they raced around the yard, picking up candy in every direction. On the other hand, the egg dying was a funny disaster. Turns out that dying eggs is not a South African tradition. The children tried to shove entire hard boiled eggs into the mouths, launched eggs at the tables, and squeezed the eggs as tight as they could. While we were all frantic in the moment, the situation can most definitely be appreciated in retrospect. The best part was how the tiny humans were in search of more eggs to destroy despite how many cries they let out after their first attempts.

Today, I struggled to have some level of control over the tiny humans. From camp, I'm used to children with a higher incline to listen and follow directions. It's easy to forget where these children come from. Instead of coming from families who spend thousands sending their five years to day camp, they come from abuse, neglect amongst other horrors I'll never know about. Rather, many their method of coping is having control, making the decision to not listen.

On the way to Heavens Nest, I couldn't help but notice how empty the parking lot of Red Cross was. I was left thinking about how many children in hospitals spend the holidays alone. Immediately I wanted to reunite with my Maitland loves. Similarly, parents seldom visit their babies at Heavens Nest.

After a week away from my favorite type of humans, I was very excited to head to Heaven's Nest. Although the egg demolition may have taken a year of my life, I know that I'll gain more than twice that time back just from my Maitland friends.

Yesterday, I threw open every window and door around  to listen to the rain. However, we soon had to close the doors to keep the water out. I couldn't help but think about all the homeless drenched during that cold and moist night. My heart ached for them. On the sunrise game drive, I found myself shivering. I struggled with the thought of how worse others have it every day. I knew my bungalow would bring a level of comfort many aren't blessed with.