Written 06/08/2010
It was the shortest relationship I have ever been in.
Twenty-four hours, down to the minute.
Winifred and I met at VBS at Enkasiti Primary School yesterday afternoon.
Her older siblings were still in class, and she hung around until they got out before going home with them.
Of course she joined us for Vacation Bible School.
She first caught my attention when we walked out to the playground to set up, and she wouldn’t stop trying to get into everyone’s bags.
And, somewhere in the process of trying to keep her out of our belongings, I fell in love with her.
I’d like to think she fell in love with me, too.
But it was never destined to be, because today Winifred was a terror.
Hitting, kicking, biting.
I wanted to think she wouldn’t do the same thing to me, but my optimism was sadly misguided.
While Leyna and I were getting the giveaways ready to give away to the kids who came today, Winifred tried to tackle me.
During that moment, her fist connected with my cheek.
When I pulled out my stern voice and told her no, she grabbed a chunk of hair and did a little pulling of her own.
That was when I knew things were out of control.
Fortunately, she didn’t pull any hair out.
Unfortunately, I realized we just couldn’t be in a relationship any more.
So I broke up with her.
It was probably the healthiest decision I’d made in about twenty-four hours.
I still love her.
I’ll pray for her.
But anything more is just too much right now.
