Its Special

It was a special occasion, and I was a little nervous. Will my date go all right? I stood at the doorway waiting anxiously with my camera and the best smile I could muster.The van drew up and out they poured – my breakfast & luncheon date - 50 special children with absolutely special, almost divine smiles on their faces. I was told that they were shut out from the cacophony of the world – they couldn’t hear or speak. But seeing them all excited, and chattering almost nineteen to the dozen with their hands, I found that I was the only dumb character around – actually, I was dumb-founded.The children’s guardian acted as the interpreter – he told me that they’d already thrown at least a dozen questions at me - “Howdy”“Why do you just smile and not answer?”“Why are you just holding the camera – don’t you want to use it”“The flowers in the garden look great – do you grow them yourself”“What is for breakfast?”Uhhh ohhh, I shook myself out of my reverie, and rushed forth to arrange the breakfast dishes. By the time I came back with the piled dishes, the children had already organized themselves into groups, and were waiting patiently. Breakfast was a heady affair. The kid’s joked galore, laughed aloud, appreciated the food – all with gestures. I marveled at their happy faces and moved around clicking them. Some of them struck poses, others just stuck out their tongues and some even offered to click me!!!!!Then came the magic show organized for them. The magician was just too good. I was mesmerized for a while. Then looking around, I saw, some the kids were in the same boat as me, following each movement of the magician.At the far corner there was this guy, shyly “talking” with his hands to this girl at the other end of the room – aha whispering sweet nothings I guess.The girl blushed at something he said. I looked away – didn’t want to trespass on the lovers.Another corner 3 of those spunky, naughty looking guys tried to smother their giggles….they were sharing a private joke, or maybe thinking up some wicked pranks.Two other girls in the centre of the room had scowls & were wildly gesticulating to each other. The interpreter told me, they were fighting. One stern gesture at them & they stopped “fighting”.Wow…….I marveled at their internal rhythm……the sound of silence was so divine.Lunch came & went – I already had about 50 photos captured in my camera.Soon it was time my dates to go back. Hmmmm, they were all over the place talking to me again – hey, hey hold on – I raised my palms & asked them to stop chatting & listen to me…..and then I “spoke” in their language the only 3 words I’d learnt…..My hands told them “I Love You”They were speechless – probably for the first time in the day, and for a moment I thought I’d messed up with the words…and then they just circled around me & hugged me real tight.,By the time they trooped into the van, there was a tight knot at the base of my throat as I bravely tried to smile.