Memorial to Mai

A Time of Tears and a Time to Trust
It is with great sadness that we tell you about the death of Mai. Mai was the young boy with cerebral palsy that lived in a bamboo cage for 12 years before coming to Hope Home. Mai was a special boy whose smile could light up the room. Although this past year he lived in a new home for boys with special needs, I still continued to visit Mai, take him on outings and bring him to special events held at Hope Home. Mai taught us all so much about unconditional love. No matter what kind of day I was having, whether I was stressed out or worried or had a headache, after spending time with Mai I always had a smile on my face and my burdens were lifted and seemed insignificant. Last Sunday Mai suffered a seizure and died in his sleep. Although our hearts are mourning his passing, I trust that Mai is safe in God’s loving arms. Mai was a sweet, sweet boy who will hold a special place in our hearts forever.
~Shelly

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Memorial to Mai

What dreams are made of

I woke up at about 6am this morning and stumbled downstairs and made my way to the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee. I sat in front of the computer for a few minutes and went through some emails. Morning's are the only time I get to myself and I like to savor the quietness and calm before the storm. I heard Acacia strolling down the stairs and plop down on the couch at about 6:30

I got up from my desk and joined her on the couch. I started to joke with her a little bit. Acacia unfortunately acquired my sarcastic sense of humor and we love to go back and forth with the jokes. However, this morning when I was talking to her I noticed that her eyes were welling up and her little chin was quivering. "What's wrong honey"? "Nothing Dad", as she turns to try to hide her face and avoids all eye contact. "Hey Acacia, I want to show some pictures of the kitties we saw yesterday on the computer".

She follows me to the office and climbs onto my lap to look at the pictures. I ask again, "Acacia, what's wrong sweetie". She covers her eyes and keeps trying to change the subject. My interest is really peaked. "Are you sad about something or have a bad dream"? Her bottom lip and chin start to quiver and her eyes are getting glassy and moist. "I dreamed of a wonderful place, but I am so sad it will never really happen." "What kind of place honey." She begins to describe the dream all the while on the verge of tears. I cradle her in my arms and I encourage her to tell me more about this dream.

In Acacia's own words.

My dream started when I woke up in a small tent it was bigger inside than outside. I was going to a special camp in heaven. The first day at camp we swam in the ocean, it was wonderful. Then we went to a cabin and played go-fish in the cabin. Day 2, we went surfing on whales and I heard God's voice trying to tell me something, I tried to figure it out then the door opened. It was a big treat...My family: Anna, Shelly and Brett were there. I gave them a seashell made of rainbow gold. Then we kissed and hugged and I went to my tent.

Day 3: I went mountain climbing and saw God's face (I can't remember what it looked like) I was shocked, then I went to a cove where God's face was carved in the stone. Then I woke up startled.

She seemed relieved to talk about it and I asked her to draw some pictures of what she saw and experienced in her dream. This dream seemed to profoundly affect her and I felt it was an incredible bonding experience with my little girl. Did she see heaven? I don't know, but I saw heaven in her. Love you with all my heart honey!