"Me Too"

Cindy is a spunky 17 year-old who I met almost nine years ago when she arrived at NPH Honduras with her older sister Karla. After their mother passed away, the siblings were split up and sent to live with different relatives. They were reunited by our NPH social worker and brought to the Ranch.

I first met the sisters while they stayed in our internal clinic for their first few days, getting acclimated. There was something about the two of them, like oil and water. They loved each other but they were complete opposites. Karla was sweet and huggy while Cindy was reserved but had a hard edge to her that over the years, was difficult to get through. Karla was open about her feelings while Cindy just nodded and would not reveal how she felt.

Six years later on an April day, their life changed once again. They were able to share a few hours visiting with their father whom they hadn’t seen in nine years. Roberto, embraced his daughters and thanked God for the chance to be able to hold his girls. Being wrongly accused of a crime, Roberto was sentenced by the judge of minors to not see his children. Their father had missed major milestones in the girls lives, like quinceañeras and graduations, but they were able to show him pictures and recount stories. They also proudly showed off their dorm rooms and introduced him to their caregivers.

Karla decided when she turned 18 years old, that she would like the opportunity to live with her father. In 2007, after she completed her obligations to the home, she moved out and now receives an academic scholarship and returns to the Ranch on scheduled trips to help her other family, NPH.

Cindy finished her academic year studying 8th grade and worked on her vocational training in tailoring. Currently she is living with extended family members completing her vocational internship at a business.

During a recent visit, I especially noticed a change in Cindy. It was the first time I ever heard her open up and talk about her feelings. She finally had a voice to how she felt and was able to trust and share her thoughts. I was so surprised. This shy reserved girl discussed important topics like her family and her future at the Ranch. What a change.

Over the years, every time I have left the Ranch and hugged Cindy good-bye, I would always tell her I loved her. She could never respond and just nodded, but I knew how she felt. This time when I told her I loved her, she said, “me too!”