Saint Elizabeth Park was home to 400 orphan Armenian children who had lost both of their parents. It was where they learned, played, ate and slept. They ranged an age from toddlers to adolescence. All of them were hoping to become adopted.
Seated on a large wooden swing that was connected to a tree, six-year-old Diana Nazarian felt at peace. She loved coming to the swing whenever she wasn't studying and enjoying the afternoon breeze. She glanced up toward the sky, watching the brilliant beams of sunshine poke through the magnificent oak tree.
Diana and her older brother, eight-year-old George, had been at Saint Elizabeth Park for the last six months. Their parents had tragically died in a carriage accident. They were hoping that, whenever they did become adopted, that they wouldn't be separated.
Diana carefully moved further up the swing, resting against the back of it. She swung gently, giggling as the breeze caressed her chestnut brown curls. Her giggles turned into laughter as her dusty blue skirt came floating up to her face, exposing her silk stockings and black slippers.
Diana paused her swinging, moving forward to the edge. Carefully climbing off, she fixed the frilly dress that had been given to her by the orphanage. It was her favorite of the three she possessed.
Footsteps moved slowly up behind her, but Diana wasn't afraid. A smile spread across her face as she recognized the footsteps of her brother. She turned her head and smiled at him over her shoulder. "What are you doing?"
George smiled, sliding his arms around his sister and twirling her around. He pulled her into his arms for a tight squeeze. "Coming to see what you were doing."
Diana smiled against his chest. "Swinging."
George chuckled, kissing the top of her head. "That's your favorite isn't it?"
Diana nodded, her blue eyes lighting up. "It's my favorite thing to do here. Well, one of my favorite things."
George smiled at her, his chocolate brown eyes sparkling. "And what is your favorite thing to do?"
Diana. "Play with you."
George squeezed her gently. "That's my favorite thing to do too. I love playing with you."
The siblings continued embracing for a few more minutes, but then came away as the mistress of the orphanage announced that it was time for Bible study. Smiling, they intertwined their fingers and rushed back toward the building that was composed of dark gray stone. Slowing down their pace, they walked inside and smiled at the mistress before making their way to the small church nestled in the center of the sanctuary.
Approaching the third pew from the front, George and Diana moved quickly and quietly toward the center, their favorite spot. Sitting down on the plush pillows that lined the individual chairs, they picked up their own Bible. They glanced down at the dark red cover, reading the title that was written in both Armenian and English.
George leaned toward his sister. "I am very glad we don't have to read big words."
Diana giggled. "Me too. I am also glad we get to read in Armenian and English."
George. "Me too."
Once the last child took their seat, the minister that the orphanage provided came up to the podium and began to preach. He spoke in Armenian, detailing how each child in the room was to behave according to the Lord and the Holy Spirit. Once he finished his sermon, he blessed the children, giving them peace strength and guidance.
Diana glanced at George. "I want to ask him if we can keep our Bibles."
George. "I am sure we can, but there is no harm in asking."
Diana. "Can you come with me?"
George nodded, placing his bible onto his seat. "Of course."
Taking a breath, Diana put her Bible onto her seat before making her way up to the altar. She gave the priest a soft smile. "Parev Der Hayr. Hello Father."
Father Richard Gregorian smiled at her, closing his book. "Parev ahchigus, lav es? Hello my daughter, are you well?"
Diana smiled sweetly at him. "Ayo, shad lav em, shnorhagalem. Toon lav es? Yes, I am very well, thank you. Are you well?"
Father Gregorian smiled and nodded. "Ayo, shad lav em. Yes, I am very well."
Diana. "Good, I am glad to hear that."
Father Gregorian. "Did you have a question to ask me?"
Diana nodded. "May we keep our Bibles? Or do we need to leave them here in the church?"
Father Gregorian smiled gently. "The Bible is yours to keep my daughter."
Diana smiled brightly before kissing the cross, giving him a little wave, and then skipping back to where George was waiting for her at the steps of the altar. She told her brother about the conversation she had with father Gregorian, and then proceeded to tell him that they could keep their Bibles. She followed him back to the pew to collect her Bible before they turned and left the church.
***
One hour later, after completing her Sunday lessons, music and French, Diana was back under the oak tree, swinging once more. She watched as several birds flew across the sky, some landing in the tree right above her. She smiled as she saw two of the birds beginning to make a nest.
Diana's smile slowly drooped into a frown. She didn't want to admit it, but she was a bit lonely. She didn't have any friends, and the girls who she did speak to weren't very nice to her. She sighed.
A soft voice suddenly came from behind her. "Excuse me, but why are you sad?"