Submitted by: Trevor Romain
When his face appeared from behind the tree, it was like seeing the sun for the first time after weeks of cold, gray, rain.
He was so good at doing push-ups that I named him ‘The Beast’ after the Springbok rugby player.
The last time I saw Tupelo, we had a daily push-up challenge. He reminded me of our routine every day lest I forgot. He was so good at doing push-ups that I named him ‘The Beast’ after the Springbok rugby player.
I have got to know The Beast during my annual visits to the Botshabelo Orphanage, in the Magaliesburg, South Africa, where he lives. This kid is such a brave and wonderful warrior.
About six months ago he started having seizures which, compounded with other serious, ongoing medical issues, put him in hospital and close to death.
The prognosis was not good, and The Beast was not given favourable survival odds.
Marion and the family and staff from the orphanage never gave up on The Beast and someone from Botshabelo was always at his bedside.
Hundreds of prayers and well wishes followed the posts that were written about his situation. (Thank you all for the prayers, love, and concern.)
Against the odds, The Beast pulled through. He is not only surviving, but thriving.
This kid is such a brave and wonderful warrior.
So today, when his cheerful demeanor, and unbelievable smile, rushed around the tree to greet me with a warm embrace, the whole world seemed to slow down, and acknowledge the moment, and allow me the honor of giving this miracle child a bear hug.
I just had to take this photograph, of his face, because I never, ever want to forget what hope looks like.
