What Grandma Would Have Loved……

UPDATE: As of April 2012, Jason has a family! Congratulations Jason!!

Birthday: February 3, 2007

Northeast Asia

“Jason”

by Ashli Keyser, managing editor

Two days separate the birthday of one beloved woman, and one special little boy –Holt’s waiting child of the Week, Jason. This year, we hope to honor Bertha “Grandma” Holt on her birthday, by finding a family for Jason on his.

February 5th, 2007. We remembered Bertha “Grandma” Holt on what would have been her 104th birthday. Two days prior to this special day, a special boy named Jason was born in Northeast Asia.

Grandma loved every child, but she had a special place in her heart for children with special needs. She once said, “All children are beautiful when they are loved.” This quote has since become a hallmark of this organization. It’s what keeps us going even when finding a home for a child becomes difficult or seems impossible. We fight for the child. We honor Grandma Holt on her birthday every year because without her love and willingness to fight for all of God’s children – children, like Jason, wouldn’t have the hope of one day having a family of their own.

Jason has Down syndrome. He needs a family who is comfortable with his diagnosis and can provide him with any therapies or medical care that he may need. What he needs most is the love of a family.

Last week, I contacted Grandma’s daughter, Molly Holt, and asked her about Jason. “I’m so glad you are trying to find a family for this little fellow,” she wrote. “He is happy and healthy, runs around and is the center of attention. I hope he finds a family soon! He is loved by everyone.”

Grandma Holt no doubt would have loved Jason too.

She would have loved his smile. She would have loved giving him hugs, just as much as he loves giving them. Grandma would have loved reading him his favorite stories, and singing him “The Three Bears” — his favorite song. She would have loved Jason’s beautiful spirit, the one that shines through ever time he laughs – which is often, according to his caregivers.

Grandma would have loved Jason. And she would have fought to find him a family — just as her daughter, Molly, and the rest of the organization fights for him today.

In 6 months, Jason will turn 5. Two days later, Holt, once again, will honor the life of Grandma Holt— a woman who made it possible for all of God’s Waiting Children to have homes of their own. What better way to honor the life of this extraordinary woman on her birthday, than for Jason to find a family on his.

We have 6 months to give Jason the best birthday present he could ask for.

And what a beautiful birthday present that would be for Grandma.

For Jason to have a family, that’s what Grandma would have loved most of all.