What makes a family!

I rode a few miles out of town to find this place I had read about in San Miguel. It is a girls home where 32 girls ages 4-16 live, love, laugh, play, cry, sleep, eat, study and support each other. The place is all run by private donations and the VERY hard work of some incredible nuns and volunteers. One Volunteer Robin from Texas who has made this her life passion is a woman who I have GREAT respect and admiration for. She never wanted children and one day as she puts it God told her to find purpose. She did and is now going above and beyond to give these girls a chance in life where before they have been abandoned, taken away from their unfit homes or have lost both parents. As you walk in to this place you can truly feel the joy and love of the girls. They walked up shook my hand said hello in English and all had beautiful smiles. Robin gave me a tour explaining how things worked. An image I will never forget was walking into a room or dormitory and seeing all the beds each having a dresser next to it. On the dresser was the girls personal things, all their little "alters". It reminded me of the movie I loved so much Annie. In the little girls room a nun sleeps with them, this also told me this woman has given her life to these girls raising not one but 32 girls. She awakes at 5am and rarely gets to sleep before 12am. How hard they work but you would never know looking at their faces. They smile and have such patience with all of them. One girl really a woman was left at the home a few years ago, 24 year old Alma which means soul. She is severally mentally challenged, I saw her from a distant and she grabbed my soul. I sat down next to her, she grabbed my hand so tightly and giggled. Robin told me this was not normal for her and I immediately thought of the gifts my mother has passed on to me in playing and working with handicapped people. I sat with her for 10 minutes sometimes speaking in Spanish but mostly just showing her I knew she was there and I already loved her so much. As I went to leave she kept shaking her head and would not let my hand go. Tears welled up as wanted to protect and love her for the rest of my life. All the girls really…. They already have girls with Scholarships to Harvard and many colleges. They go to church but not just to learn about God but about Spiritually and love. As I stayed a few hours and watched how they all supported each other, there was no arguing at all. I bonded with many and have promised to return they really want to learn yoga and dance they told me. I sat on the couch as they braided my hair and asked me how much I liked Justin Bieber. They also asked if I had a boyfriend or any kids. I told them no but someday, right now I was traveling and learning more about life. One girl said one day she to wanted to travel around the world. I asked her how come, she responded "because I can". I love what these woman and the supporters are doing for these girls. I plan on returning for a few weeks in January to teach yoga but also to learn what they have to teach me. Grace, love, patience, gratitude, and play. If you have time or even $10 to spare this is a place where your dollar goes far and every penny is used to support the girls. I am extremely grateful for the day of love they showed me! 

http://www.santajulia.org/