Sasha’s Marvelous Adventure

Ive known Emily Harper for as long as I can remember, ever since she arrived at Willow Grove Orphanage a month ago.

She came here after her grandmother, Martha, passed away the only person shed ever lived with. She never knew her mother.

Martha had told her that her mother had gone far away and wouldnt return, so Emily called her Mum and tried hard to grow up fast, hoping she could help the old lady. Martha used to say,

Once youre big enough, well run the house together.

So Emily did everything she could: washing dishes, sweeping the floor. She was just five, yet she felt already grownup.

When Martha fell ill and an ambulance whizzed past, a stranger a distant aunt arrived, took Emily away, and left her at the orphanage.

Emily didnt mind the change. There were plenty of children, kind caretakers, and a warm atmosphere. Still, she longed for her old home, for Milo the cat and Ruby the dog, for the scent of her grandmothers pies and the cosy hearth. She kept hoping a miracle would open her bedroom door, letting Martha step in with a smile and say,

Well, my little helper, lets go home Milos been waiting for you!

But when Nurse Kate gently explained that Martha had gone to heaven and wouldnt be returning, Emily finally understood that such a miracle would never happen again.

Still, she clung to the belief in miracles. Martha had always told her that miracles happen if you truly believe, calling every kindness a miracle.

For instance, whenever Aunt Vera dropped by with a sweet or a bun or a small toy, Martha would say,

See, Emily, isnt that a wonder? A simple act of kindness is a miracle in itself.

Emily never forgot that lesson.

So when Nurse Kate slipped a caramel into Emilys pocket and handed it over, the little girl beamed, kissed the nurse on the cheek and whispered,

Thanks, Nurse Kate, for the miracle.

Nurse Kate smiled back, planting a kiss on Emilys forehead,

Youre our miracle!

Six months passed, and the Christmas season approached. Emily and the other children cut paper snowflakes, decked the pine, and laughed together.

One afternoon, while they were preparing decorations, Nurse Kate called Emily aside and whispered,

The New Year brings all sorts of wonders. Write down what you wish for on a slip of paper, place it under your pillow, and it will come true.

Emily took an old postcard shed rescued from Marthas house, along with her treasured toys, and scribbled, I want to go home. She had no other wish.

The orphanage was fine, but it lacked her grandmothers quilted blanket, the oven that baked warm pies, the feeling of belonging. She needed a home, and she needed it urgently.

Instead of tucking the note under her pillow, she folded it and slipped it into the pocket of her stuffed bear, a gift from Aunt Vera.

Remember, Martha had said, you must want it with all your heart and truly believe.

Emily believed, even as the miracle seemed to stall.

Then, in April, the miracle arrived.

It was a bright spring day. Emily sat on the windowsill, watching the groundskeeper, Mr. Jack, sweeping the paths. Suddenly, Nurse Kate burst into the room, a hint of excitement in her voice.

Emily, the director wants to see you.

Emily hopped down and asked, Did I do something wrong?

No, love, Nurse Kate replied, smoothing Emilys braids, someones come to get you.

Emily felt a flutter of nerves. Who?

Well find out, Nurse Kate said, taking her hand.

They entered the directors officeMrs. Thompsons officeand Emilys eyes fell on Aunt Vera, who stood there with a warm grin.

Aunt Vera! Emily shouted, racing toward her and throwing her arms around her.

My sunshine, Aunt Vera cooed, hugging her tightly.

Aunt Vera, are we going home? Emily asked, eyes wide.

Of course, dear. Absolutely, Aunt Vera whispered, wiping away a tear.

She guided Emily to a sofa, sat beside her, and said, Emily, were going to live together now. Uncle Victor is waiting for you, too. Youll be our daughter. Does that sound alright?

Emily threw herself into Aunt Veras coat, nodding vigorously. She had always loved both Aunt Vera and Uncle Victor; they had treated her like family, just as Martha had.

The next morning, Emily, Aunt Vera, and Uncle Victor left Willow Grove, standing at the orphanage doorway as a taxi waited.

Friends and staff gathered to see them off. Nurse Kate dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief, smiling through her tears.

Emily handed Aunt Vera the folded postcard, now opened, and said, Thank you, Nurse Kate, for telling me to make a wish for the New Year.

Aunt Vera unfolded it, reading the bold letters, HOME I NEED.

She embraced Emily, planted a kiss on her forehead, and said,

See? I told you miracles happen when you believe with all your heart.

And thats how Emilys wish finally came true.