Patricia - our baby
Patricia was our first child at JAS and came to us in 1994 at the age of four. Both her parents had died with AIDS related complications and she had been living with extended family who gave her up and put her into a children's home. We found her alone in a large dormitory, ostracised and sad eyed. She sat silent and fearful in the car as we drove her to our Hospice in Kingston. What was to become of her now, where was she going, another home, who were these strangers? These must have been the questions going through her little head.
Her first few weeks were difficult for her and for us. She no longer knew how to relate to people, she acted out, she was overly sexual in her behaviour. As she became used to us, we each took on the role of parent and caregiver, she loved us and we so loved her. There was never a morning when she didn't appear in my office as I arrived there, climbing up onto my knee and demanding her kiss and information about what was to be done that day and what part she was to play in it.
She became a part of my family, coming to the house for weekends, going to the beach with us and just hanging out. I would never have expected that I would become so attached to a child, who had arrived out of the blue. She was sent to us for a reason. She taught us about humility and unconditional love. She taught us how to play and laugh when times were seemingly helpless. She brought innocence and life to the Hospice filled with people in the final stages of their life and often filled with cynicism and fear.
Patricia was with us for two years, we watched her gain strength and then ultimately lose it. She wasn't very ill for too long, but those final weeks were the hardest that we had ever experienced. She loved us as we loved her and chose to die when all members of staff were present for a staff meeting. She died in our arms and in the midst of her family.
That was almost six years ago and her memory is as vibrant today as ever. We think of her constantly and speak of her with love and laughter in our voices. She was and always will be "Our Patricia". God Bless you my darling, we love you…..
Christine
