leaving home...

They are picking me up. Feeling edgy and worried with the way things are going, it seems that I am now about to leave this institution that sheltered me and which I consider my home. 

I have been orphaned at a fairly young age and I have no memories of my biological family. They tell me that I was rescued from the rubbles of what previously appeared to be a house in a remote village in Bosnia. Everyone said that I was a very lucky for having survived an ordeal without any injuries at all, whereas my old folks did not fare well. I was two years old at that time. But when I think about it, I consider it as an act of God. I was shielded from the ruins of bricks and wood by an invisible force, my Guardian Angel. Perhaps I am meant to live.

I was brought to an orphanage managed by Catholic nuns. The only family I have ever known were the nuns who sheltered and took care of me and my fellow orphans who instantly became my playmates. Despite the meagre living conditions in the institution as can be expected from a heavily ravaged country, I was happy.

As years went by, I saw some of my friends leave the orphanage, my playmates taken in by families to adopt them. At first I felt happy for them, but as they left, I felt sad and abandoned. At a fairly young age, I learned that there was never constancy and that in this life, people always come and go.

How I wanted to be like them. The longing of having a family of my own always shrouded my mind, thoughts of having a father who is willing to play catch ball with me, a mother who is going to bake me some cookies or perhaps a brother or a sister to play games with and more.

Four years later, the day of reckoning came, after dinner; Sister Cecilia approached me and hugged me.

“Noah, dear boy… you will be leaving us tomorrow. I’ll help you pack your things tonight.”

Sister Cecilia hugged me tighter and whispered to my ear, “Be a good boy Noah…”

It no longer came to me as a shock. Somehow, I know of what is going to take place the next day. It is simply the same fate for the likes of me. Someone is going to take me and I am never going to see this place again.

I managed to make a weak reply, “Yes, I will mama.” I put my puny little arms around her and burrowed my head on her bosom.  Sister Cecilia knelt in front of me and I heard her sob. She then placed a small cross on my left hand and said. “Take good care of yourself Noah and I hope you grow up to be a fine man.”

True to her word, a young couple did come for me the next day. They appeared nice and benign. They were talking to Sister Cecilia and the Mother Superior, the first time I set my eyes on them.

I heard the lady say, “So you are Noah… Don’t worry little boy, you are now a part of our family. We will take good care of you.”

Both immediately came towards me and put me in a tight hugging embrace. At that moment, I thought to myself so this is how it feels like to have a dad and a mom.

 Then I heard Mother Superior say a brief introduction of my new parents to me. “Noah, this is your dad and mom, Matthew and Amelia McAllister from New Jersey… Be a good son to them Noah.”

“Yes, Mother Superior… I will.’

After all the formalities, we had to take our leave. As the car sped out of the driveway, I saw Sister Cecilia from a distance waving her hands to bid me goodbye….

I shouted, “See you someday, Sister Cecilia…”

I never thought how difficult it is to depart from the institution which housed me. With a heavy heart I took hold of the cross Sister Cecilia gave to me, my last memento of the short stint that I had in the orphanage.

I don’t know what may lie ahead of me, as to what kind of life I am going to lead. My new parents are perfect strangers. I don’t know where they are taking me. Even though I was the one who left the orphanage, it feels as if I am the one abandoned.

My new Dad took me in his lap and said, “Noah, don’t be frightened. We are here for you. You now have a family in us” 

For the duration of the trip, they held me close. Somehow it felt right and I thought to myself, perhaps everything is going to turn out fine.

Everything I longed and wished to have did become true. By the time we arrived, I learned that not only do I have a new family but a little sister as well. I suddenly have a three-year old sister who is named Gabrielle and not only that, a pup I named Smoochie. My life was certainly bound for the better.

My new parents did smother me with love and care. In return, I did my best to win their hearts by being a good son.