My New NYC BFFs

For youth conference, my girls and I stayed at the Orton's house up north in Inwood (close to the Bronx). They were so kind and very hospitable, especially considering that each night we arrived late and left early the next morning.

The first night we arrived, 3 of the Orton children greeted us as we exited the elevator on their floor and wanted to know everything about us. Sister O (who, btw, is 3 years older than I am...again, feeling old!) met us with Lily, their young daughter with Down syndrome, and welcomed us into their home. And guess who became my first best friend forever (BFF) in that house? Yep. Lily! She sat on my lap, tugged on my hand to follow her to play in her room, got angry when any of the other children started to talk to me, and so on. I was enamored with her, and she with me.

Later, however, I had another new BFF in SJ, a bright, talented, 10-yr-old girl with lots of energy. She sat next to me at the table during a brief time when Lily had wandered off. SJ saw my claddagh ring and asked if it was a different kind of CTR ring. I told her about the symbols of the claddagh and what it meant worn on the right hand versus the left. When I mentioned it being worn on the left hand and that someday when I get married I would like to have that as my wedding ring, she asked me seriously, "But aren't you too young to get married?" Her comment made my day! I laughed and told her that it was very sweet of her to think that I was one of the youth, but that I was actually their leader and was her mom's age. SJ told me I didn't "look as old as a mom" (LOL). How old are moms supposed to look?, I wonder.

SJ then asked if I'd like to see the drawings in the room she shares with her siblings. Wow! That little girl is very talented! What impressed me more than even her drawings (which were awesome) was what she had on her wall: pictures from The Friend magazine, sayings from inspiring leaders, and short paragraphs of stories she read in The Friend that she rereads to herself every day so she can remember to be kind to her siblings and other people. And this girl is only 10 years old!

The last night we stayed with the Orton family, we arrived too late and left too early the next morning to see the kids (they'd already gone to bed), so we didn't get to say goodbye. But SJ left us a drawing! Isn't it great?

SJ's picture for us