Aurora 2021 Mag

Dr. Paul Salstrom

Picking Up Trash

A scrap of paper face down on bare dirt in a Midwestern park is a child’s photo. “Jakelin Caal Maquin” it says and “Guatemala,” “age 7,” “December 8, 2018” Her eyes seem trustful yet her head seems slightly tilted with thoughts.

Were she my daughter, could I make her believe (by phone, if permitted) we will be back together? Feliz Navidad, dear child, I hope you received a beautiful present

with long, loving hugs – if not in the detention then beyond all of this.

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