Eva - the Epilogue

Yesterday I spent more than my usual time with Eva in the hospital. She wanted me to hold her so I held her for an hour. I took her coloring book and colored in it as she carefully chose the crayons, pointing to each desired color. It was all the strength she could muster. I reminisced as I colored. Several years ago I had given up pursuing an art career. A friend of mine (now a nationally known artist) and I had an art show together. After the show I realized that it wasn't the direction or the dream I wanted. Instead, my husband and I pursued adopting three children from overseas. Several years later, here I was using my art abilities to color in a coloring book with a dying 10-year-old AIDS orphan. I couldn't think of a better place to be.

The nurse interrupted our coloring to encourage Eva to drink some milk. Two sips later she was in severe pain. I held her as I held my grief, asking God to please send His angels to come get His little princess. She had suffered enough.

Less than 12 hours later, as the African clock struck midnight, the King ordered His escorts to carry our little princess home to His heavenly castle. Her room was ready.

Now she has more than she could ever ask or imagine. I remember telling Eva each day that we would bring whatever she wanted because that was what a princess could do. She ordered “eggs” every day. It struck me funny that she could have asked for anything, but in her little world of poverty, that was the best thing she could think of. So one day I chided her to ask for something more than eggs – I promised she could have anything! She thought for a lttle while and then she quietly said, “ovos fritas.” Fried eggs.

Sunday afternoon we will bury Eva. I picture her in her new surroundings enjoying more colors than any crayon box could ever hold. She is dancing and singing, laughing and skipping...living a life beyond her wildest imagination. What was stolen from her has been restored; the King has spoken.