Almond Eyes by M.R.K.

My mom's newest passion is writing. I always knew she'd be good at it and she seems to have found her forte' - short stories.

This is the latest one she wrote about Lil’ & Mims… isn’t it lovely!

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ALMOND EYES

          I peered into the crib and looking back at me from a little round face were beautiful almond eyes.   This was my first introduction to my new granddaughter, newly arrived to South Dakota from South Korea.   She was eight months old and fearless.   She had been placed in a foster home immediately after birth and now had arrived at the home of my daughter, her husband, and 8 year old son.   They were thrilled, apprehensive and enthusiastic to have her adapt to her new home.   They named her ________. 

           The all-new surroundings, new faces and new smells did not appear to upset her resolve.   She adapted immediately.    She was somewhat apprehensive when it came to me.  Perhaps she had not seen anyone with white hair before and it startled her.   It took several visits and gradual introduction to bond a relationship. 

           Two years later, a new set of almond eyes arrived, this beauty given the name of ______ (also known as ____).    She came with fear, grief and the saddest face I have ever encountered in a child.   She was in mourning, having just been removed from her foster home consisting of two parents and three children.    She had bonded with them and was in deep anguish.   The only person she would have anything to do with was my daughter and even she could not always console her.   She cried incessantly, could not sleep without someone beside her and generally was very despondent.  Pictures of her at Christmas with the rest of the happy family told the entire story.    It took more than a year and a half for her to finally conform.    My son-in-law tried everything he could to bond with her, but she would have nothing to do with him.  

           Four years later, both of these beautiful little girls are well adapted, happy, exuberant and smart.    They are very different from one another, but they are sisters nevertheless.    Their past is forgotten.  They are completely bonded to their mother, father and brother.   It is hard to remember what life was like before their arrival.