For the past four and a half years, our Saturday mornings have been filled with laughter, singing, dancing, burrito making, and sharing. One Saturday morning about two years ago, we met our friend Yvra. He likes to spell his name for any new friend he meets. “Y-V-R-A. That’s my name,” he says often.
Ever since that day, Yvra has been a faithful helper in the preparation and distribution of burritos to our friends at Bryant Park in Lake Worth. He is picked up and dropped off every Saturday night to join us for our community meal. Yvra is very good at drying dishes, and is thrilled that he just moved into “My own apartment.” He brings constant laughter and smiles to those around when he repeatedly says, “Subway eat fresh!” or “Hot dogs for sale!” or “How’d you do that? It’s magic!”
Yvra spends his Mondays through Fridays working at Palm Beach Habilitation Center. Every Sunday he attends First Church of the Nazarene in downtown Lake Worth. He enjoys listening to Michael Jackson on his CD player in his spare time.
A few months ago, his CD player was stolen. Yvra was very disappointed. We knew his birthday was coming up on December 6. He would turn thirty-six. For his birthday, we purchased him a new CD player and 3 Michael Jackson CDs.
When he was picked up for dinner last night, the first thing Yvra said was, “What did you get me for my birthday? My dad didn’t get me nothing for my birthday. My brother got me a DVD player, but my dad didn’t get me nothing. He said he has no money for my birthday, he has to send people money in Haiti so they can buy food.”
“You’ll have to wait and see, it’s a surprise.”
“OOOOOhhhhh! Did you hear that? A surprise!” Yvra excitedly stated.
We wish you could hear his voice, it is so FULL of LIFE.
After taco salad for dinner, the bright yellow wrapped package came out. Yvra could hardly contain his excitement. He opened the package and first pulled out the batteries. “OOoooohhh, it’s batteries!”
“What do you put batteries in sometimes, Yvra?” Derek asked.
“A CD player!” Yvra replied as he pulled the gift out. “But, I don’t have no CD. I have no Michael Jackson CD.”
Derek pulled out a smaller package. Yvra opened it up and was THRILLED. I received a, “Thank you Christina!” with a big side hug and kiss on my cheek .
Our friend David offered to put a CD on for us all to listen to. Then the dance party began! A congo line was quickly formed with all of the guests. Yvra was breaking it down and requested one of his favorites, “Just Beat it.”
Last night was one of the sweetest birthday celebrations I we have encountered. Celebrating the life of our precious friend, while dancing to Michael Jackson and eating ice cream cake, is a small glimpse of the Kingdom of Heaven here in Lake Worth.
