“Miss Kathy, I played!!” Hamden exclaimed.

“Wow! What did you play?” I asked excitedly.

“No, I played to God!” he said exasperated.

“Oh, you prayed!!! That is so great! What did you say?” I asked.

“I told God thank you for creating things and for creating me!”

This was my favorite moment from a very long day, yesterday.  Hamden is  little boy who has wanted to be in our tutoring program since he was three years old and still using a pacifier. He is finally in first grade and old enough to be a Whiz Kid and he can’t stop smiling.

This little boy is from war-torn Sudan. He lives here with his large extended family in a small apartment but the joy in his eyes and soul permeates an entire room.

I love this little kid who makes my tiring tasks of setting up for a tutoring session seem so completely worth it. I hope he keeps, “Playing to God!” and that God hears every little word that comes from his mouth. This kid is special and I am so glad he is a part of my life if only for a short hour each week.

Thank you for making my day, Hamden!