Fina is the Director of Guest Services at Turtle Bay, where Hayden and her family are vacationing this week. Turtle Bay is located on the beautiful North Shore of O'ahu, Hawaii. One of my favorite places on earth. As a special treat, for a special girl, Fina arranged for Hayden to receive a pedicure. Those of us that know Hayden, were cautiously optimistic about this upcoming adventure. See, we know that if Hayden could be a hobo, so that she would never have to cut her toenails again, she would. However, much to our surprise, she emerged from the experience "pretty in pink", and none the worse for wear.
I think that the most amazing things about this experience was not the pedicure itself, but the visit that took place between Hayden and Fina. When Hayden realized that Fina was the sister of my husband (and Hayden's beloved Uncle Puppy), that was all she needed to know. As her eyes lit up, she made the connection, and insisted on a phone call immediately to connect the not-so-long-lost brother and sister. She called her Uncle Puppy, and would not let him hang up the phone until he talked to "his sister". They talked, exchanged a few brief words, and all was right with the world.
Fina is amazed at how bright and articulate she is, and proclaimed that if not for her features, no one would know she has Down Syndrome. That's right! She's amazing! And she is no hobo!
