Magic comes in many forms

In March when our families first arrived, students from York House were here on site volunteering. The students stepped it up and worked really hard with us to get things ready for the mamas and kids.

For the next few days, the “Yorkie” young women helped with everything that needed to be done to ease the transition for the families. When the time came for our volunteers to say goodbye, our mamas were heartbroken. The new friends that had so warmly welcomed them were suddenly saying goodbye just as they had started to get to know them.

What the mamas and kids didn’t know about was something that you and I now take for granted. Years ago we used to pay through the nose to stay connected to friends and family living far away. Calls were few and far between and were saved for special occasions. Phone calls were bittersweet as we heard the crackled voices of those we love.

Just weeks after their return to Canada, the York girls called the families on Skype. This was our mamas' and kids' first ever Skype call and it was HUGE for them. There were tons of laughs, lots of questions, some dancing and even a few tears. The mamas were absolutely blown away with this opportunity to talk to these precious young women who had been their welcoming party when they arrived.

With all the advances in the world, I would have to say that internet video calls are an invaluable gift to so many of us. It allows us to stay connected to those we love and to maintain relationships from a far. And now, I treasure it more than ever as I watch our families develop and nurture new friendships from afar. These are people who have endured much indifference in their lives and this love and friendship is key to their healing and their empowerment.