Finding Chika Summary

"Time is not something you own. Giving it freely is an act of love." – Finding Chika

1. Chika's Life Began Amid Tragedy

Chika Jeune's life started in the challenging environment of post-earthquake Haiti. Born in 2010, she was only three days old when a massive earthquake devastated her home country. The collapse of infrastructure left families, including Chika's, in dire circumstances. This natural disaster shaped every aspect of her young life.

Before she turned five, Chika had already experienced profound loss and instability. After losing her mother during childbirth and being separated from her family, she moved between guardians before finding shelter at an orphanage in Port-au-Prince. This early chapter mirrors the struggles of countless Haitian families during a time of national calamity.

Despite her early hardships, Chika carried resilience. From a baby born under a breadfruit tree with limited means to a young girl who played bossily in an orphanage courtyard, she exemplified strength even in the face of uncertainty and loss.

Examples

• Chika's home was destroyed by the 2010 earthquake, exposing her and her mother to danger.
• She lost her mother when she was still a baby due to complications during childbirth.
• She moved to an orphanage after being seen precariously carrying sheets in unsafe living conditions.

2. A Writer Finds His Call to Care

Mitch Albom's journey with Chika began when he visited the rubble-strewn streets of post-earthquake Haiti. He had come as a volunteer, along with his wife Janice, to assist a struggling orphanage. This trip marked the start of a new responsibility—a commitment to caring for Haitian children.

Mitch had been profoundly impacted by seeing children’s resilience amid destruction. He immediately began improving the orphanage’s condition—repairing the building, organizing resources, and ultimately taking over its management. The children at the orphanage, including Chika, came to feel like his extended family.

When Mitch met Chika for the first time, her bold and outgoing personality left an impression on him. She quickly became one of the children who held a special place in his heart, beginning the extraordinary relationship described in this book.

Examples

• Mitch took over the orphanage after witnessing its dire state post-earthquake.
• He initially arrived in Port-au-Prince with water, food, and wipes, helping hundreds affected by the disaster.
• Chika’s confidence, bossiness, and charm made her stand out to Mitch during his time at the orphanage.

3. Chika's Illness Changed Everything

Chika’s robust personality and health took an alarming turn when caregivers noticed physical symptoms such as a dropping face and uneven walking. After tests revealed a mass on her brain, Mitch and Janice decided to bring her to Michigan for further tests and treatment.

Though the diagnosis was grim, Mitch and Janice were determined to fight for Chika. She underwent a brain surgery in the US, which only partially removed the tumor. Despite her diagnosis of Grade 4 cancer, the couple dug deep to give her not only medical care but an environment filled with love and laughter.

The tragic diagnosis did not deter Mitch and Janice from embracing parenthood. They treated Chika as their own daughter, surrounding her with warmth and creating moments of joy despite the challenges she faced.

Examples

• Chika was diagnosed with a severe brain tumor, with doctors confirming a low long-term survival prognosis.
• Mitch and Janice welcomed Chika into their home to ensure she received the best medical care possible.
• They signed off on life-altering surgeries for Chika despite minimal chances of success.

4. Chika Taught the Value of Slowing Down

Adjusting to Chika’s life rhythm became a lesson for Mitch and Janice. Her habits, like taking her time to eat meals or marveling at the small details of the world, showed them the importance of savoring the moment rather than rushing through life.

Their morning routines began to revolve around Chika's sense of time, bringing joy into mundane activities. Even the simple act of watching her examine nature through a window became a revelation of how much beauty exists in ordinary things.

Chika’s slow pace reminded Mitch of lessons from his earlier mentor, Morrie, who also found extraordinary meaning in observing and experiencing daily life while terminally ill.

Examples

• Chika spent hours eating meals, choosing clothes, or looking out of a window in awe at the world.
• Mitch remembered his professor Morrie, who found joy in simply looking through a window during his last days.
• Her presence forced Mitch to reallocate his writing hours into shared family time.

5. Seeing the World Through a Child's Eyes

By viewing life from Chika’s perspective, Mitch was reminded of the joys adults often take for granted. From her childlike wonder of a pond with ducks to her excitement at the prospect of Disneyland, Chika rekindled curiosity and appreciation in Mitch’s life.

Chika's wonder at simple things like grass, ants, and even leaves helped Mitch reconnect with his surroundings. It inspired him to embrace small everyday miracles that were previously overshadowed by adult concerns.

Her joy in little moments reminded Mitch that magic doesn’t always come from grand, expensive scenes but springs from how we perceive the world.

Examples

• Chika showed excitement about a duck during her Disneyland visit, ignoring the grander attractions.
• She once stopped to watch the wind lift a leaf she had noticed on the driveway.
• Chika took delight in simple actions like jumping into piles of snow or covering herself in crunchy autumn leaves.

6. Mitch Learned Fatherhood Through Chika

Although Mitch and Janice had not experienced parenthood before Chika, they soon found themselves embracing the role completely. This new-found fatherliness created a connection that was both nurturing and protective.

Mitch reflected on his own father while caring for Chika. He drew life lessons from childhood moments when his father became his source of strength. He began to understand what it truly meant to be a "rock" of safety for another person.

Holding Chika’s small hand as they walked, or signing off on her surgery forms, filled Mitch with a quiet but powerful sense of accountability—a fatherly instinct he had not encountered before.

Examples

• Mitch reflected on grabbing his father’s waist for safety when swimming as a child.
• He experienced a protective instinct when Chika put her hand in his while walking.
• Mitch compared the responsibility he felt for Chika to the role his father had selflessly filled for his family.

7. Balancing Love and Biological Bonds

When Chika met her biological father, it created complex emotions for Mitch. He weighed his deep paternal bond with her against the reality that another man had parented her biologically.

This tension stirred doubts about whether he was her “real” parent. However, it also reaffirmed the way love can transcend blood connections. Mitch recognized that being a parent isn’t solely rooted in biology but in the sacrifices, time, and love given daily to a child.

The interaction revealed that family isn’t just about shared DNA but the bonds built by shared experiences and support.

Examples

• Mitch and Chika met her biological father, who remained largely detached from her situation.
• Mitch wrestled with fears of losing her but reaffirmed his commitment as her parent in love and practice.
• Chika’s nighttime affirmation—“That’s what I’ll do, too”—cemented their unbreakable relationship.

8. Chika’s Final Journey

Despite multiple treatments and trips across the globe, Chika’s condition worsened over time. Mitch and Janice’s tireless efforts to save her included cutting-edge medical care in Germany and countless prayers at home.

Their last Christmas together represented a culmination of their time with her—a moment bittersweet and precious. Chika unwrapped gifts slowly, savoring the moment despite her frailty, embodying their philosophy of cherishing each moment together.

When Chika passed quietly in their arms, surrounded by love and memories, it marked the end of an extraordinary journey rich with lessons about love, resilience, and time.

Examples

• They sought experimental treatments in Germany to try and heal Chika.
• A final Christmas was celebrated as a family, with Chika opening gifts carefully and in wonder.
• Chika’s passing came with reminders of joy-filled moments like her love of swimming goggles and ice cream.

9. Lessons of Love Beyond Tragedy

Chika’s short life left Mitch and Janice with profound teachings about the nature of unconditional love. It showed them that love is not confined to time, relationships, or circumstances.

Even in grief, Mitch discovered that the connection they shared with Chika had permanently transformed them. Her spirit remained a source of inspiration long after her passing.

Chika’s story reminds readers that love persists even in the face of loss. The moments shared in life form unshakable memories that shape us forever.

Examples

• Mitch expressed gratitude for Chika’s presence, calling her his gift despite her short life.
• Her laughter and wonder brought light, even when her diagnosis brought heavy burdens.
• Mitch reflected on how love transcends blood ties through his parenting journey with Chika.

Takeaways

1. Slow down and savor everyday moments to rediscover the world through renewed appreciation.
2. Invest time and attention into relationships as acts of love that transcend all other gestures.
3. Cherish your connections and let them teach you valuable lessons, even in loss.