The Story of the Traveling Bracelet
So I have worn a bracelet for about 6 months now. Those of you who have seen me, have seen the bracelet. I haven’t taken it off my wrist. It is an Alex and Ani bracelet with the claddagh. It means love, loyalty and friendship.
The bracelet was given to me by a family who is near and dear to my heart, The Caine Family. Their 3 kids were on the swim team, I coached for two years and I loved them all dearly. Lucy, the youngest was crazy but always wanting to keep me company during the other practice. Maggie, the eldest, was a sweet girl who always strived to be the best. Ella, the middle child, had something different to bring to the table. She has this beautiful contagious smile. She loves hugs but even more loves to smile and laugh. The girls gave me this bracelet as a thank you for coaching them.
Lets fast-forward 6 months. The bracelet has clearly seen better days. It’s pretty scratched, stretched out and not the shinny gold is was when it was new. It showed the wear but still I looked at it remembering not only the Caines but the meaning of love, loyalty and friendship. Here I am in El Salvador, still rocking this bracelet. Until today. Today that bracelet found a new home. A home to someone if I don’t see again in this lifetime, I will seek out this beautiful girl in heaven. I gave my bracelet to sweet, sweet Blanca
.
Blanca is one of the teenage girls at the orphanage. When we have discipleship with the girls twice a week and she is always there. She greets with warm hugs and smiles to go around. Blanca sits near me usually and we laugh and giggle at the language barrier that separates us.
When we were there on Tuesday, Blanca sat next to me and every time she laughed she snuggled into my arm. She giggled and laughed, when I told her that she has a big heart, fun laugh and a beautiful smile. We ended our time with a laugh, adios and a hug as usual.
Today we went to say goodbye to the girls and I knew I was going to be a mess. I don’t do goodbyes well. I struggle with them. As I am talking to Blanca she tells me how beautiful my bracelet is. She tells me this every time I am there but this time was different. Suddenly I knew in my heart that this bracelet wasn’t mine to keep. I took it off my arm and put it on hers as I said a short phrase, which brought us both to tears, “Tuyo.” Which translates to, “yours.” With teary eyes she looks at me and smiles and we both sob in each others arms. She says to me in the cutest accent, “Thank You!” I look at her and just say, “I Love You!”
Blanca then starts to get Andrea’s attention so she can translate and we talk for a little. Blanca asks me when I will be back. And I wish I could say. I wish that I could tell her I would be back in 10 months or a couple of years. I wish that I could promise that I would hug her once more in this lifetime but I can’t.
As we cry and say goodbye, I let her know I will see her once more. If not now, in heaven. I tell her I love her and she lets me know she will never forget me.
As I walk home I wonder why I gave away something that meant so much to me. That bracelet was a constant for the past 6 months of my life but I gave it away so easily. I realized that in fact that bracelet did its job for me. It kept me company and reminded me of the love, loyalty and friendship I had made not only with the Valley Gators but with the Caine family. Blanca reminded me of sweet Ella. Her hugs were just like Ella. Her laugh and how she joked with me was in the same form that Ella did. I was just a pathway for God to connect these girls that will never know each other.
To my Caine girls; Lucy, Maggie and Ella: I love you all so much and hope that you are doing well. I hope that this story means something to you. Know that your bracelet was beautiful but it is YOU that holds a piece of my heart forever. Know that you are loved so very much by me. Finally I hope that you understand why I gave away your bracelet that you gave to me, know that it indeed was amazing and I loved it but that it was meant for something greater.
To my dear sweet Blanca: I love you and hope to see you very soon. I am praying for you and cannot wait to hear your laugh and see you smile. Remember me and the fun we had while I was there. Enjoy your bracelet but more importantly that you are loved my not only God but me as well.
So I leave El Salvador with a heavy heart and hard goodbyes. El Salvador you made me happier than I have been in years. You rocked my world. You loved me and took me in as your own. Andrea, you made me laugh when I wanted to cry. You made us family and comforted us whenever we needed it. You were such a blessing throughout our trip and I wish you could join us but God has called you here to stay and help your beautiful people. Children of REMAR La Libertad, I love you all so much and pray I will see you soon. Blanca, Moses, Fanny, Anna, Magaolly, Danielle, Diana, Angie and all the other kids that I got to hug and love, remember you are loved. As I say goodbye I am reminded that I am so very blessed to have a place and people that are so hard to say goodbye to.
See ya later El Salvador because you are too hard to say goodbye to!
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