Editor's Note: Debra Scaturro and I have been friends since early 1998 when she became a MISS member. I knew she was special from our first meeting. Since then, I have grown to know how very beautiful she is. This is one, of many, examples of her love- the ultimate Kindness Project in memory of her son, Shawn. I am so thankful that our paths and our hearts, have crossed.
That evening as we sat around our lavishly set table feasting on an enormous amount of food and drink and making toasts of good cheer, I couldn’t stop thinking about those poor orphans. I pictured babies crying because they were starving to death. It was too much to bear. How could I be happy knowing children were suffering? In the days that followed my thoughts were never very far from the orphans. I wondered if the article written by the LA Times made things better or worse for the children? Or could orphan life be any worse for a child? I've learned that life goes on around us, no matter what tragic event we experience in our own lives-that the world we live in doesn't stop just because you are hurting. And although the article upset me greatly there was nothing I could do at the time for those babies...except pray. I resumed the days ahead preparing for the New Year and each time I was greeted with a smile I tried my best to give one back. I kept my thoughts private for fear of spoiling it for others. But then I exploded. It was at the hair and nail salon that I tuned into a conversation going on in the next booth. The gory details about orphan life was all too familiar. Apparently there was a show on TV about the neglect and abuse that goes on in some orphanages. I am glad that I missed it; I don't think that I would have had the stomach to sit through it. The longer the woman talked the quieter the room got and by the end of her story all that could be heard was the humming of the hair and blow dryers. We were stunned, sickened, angered, bewildered, saddened, and confused by one of life's harsh realities. “What can we do about it?” Someone asked. “N-o-t-h-i-n-g!” Another responded. “We could write a letter.” I suggested. “Who has time to write?” I heard someone say from across the room. "Sounds like someone had time to sit through a one hour horror show. And looks like we have time to get our hair and nails done too." I blurted out in one breath. I couldn't wait to get out of that place and I am sure when I left I was the talk...my ears rang all the way home. That evening right before it was time to ring in the New Year I reread the article, while my husband just shook his head. It was the last paragraph of the article that stuck in my throat this time. “Abandoned infants, toddlers, and older children with disabilities are languishing in interminable idleness, deprived of touch, sound, visual stimulation, and love.”
As Dick Clark began his count down 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, I made my New Years Resolution. I would start a new mission and call it Starfish International Missions. This mission would be dedicated to improving the quality of life for orphans. On December 1, 2000, nearly two years later we welcomed Alexey into our home and our hearts. He is our first orphan. This brave little soul has traveled half way around the world to find a better life. Yes, I do believe in miracles and there is a God, after all who else would have sent me that article? God must have thought it was time for me to change the direction of my life.
Editor's Follow Up:
Debra and her husband, Steve, have taken in many children- into their homes, into their hearts, and thus, have changed the world one life at a time. There are few people I have met in my life that are dedicated like this woman is. She is my hero and she sets an example of something we should all strive to do in life- make a difference in the life of a child. Debra, on behalf of the children and the MISS Foundation, thank you. You do Shawn proud!
