He came to us, and we immediately wanted to see his life changed. His oversized ball cap was pulled low to provide a hiding place for his little eyes. His hair was long and shaggy. His little teeth stained and chipped. When engaged he would quickly pull his hat lower and take a step behind his mother’s legs. He would wrap his little arms around them as tight as he could and squeeze his eyes closed.
Little by little his transformation was brought to the light. A little boy hidden beneath a hat, began to want to be seen. He wanted to run free. His eyes twinkled with hope and safety. His heart opened up to being loved. He has grown to love volunteers and staff who come to offer him stories, playtime, or an adventure. I often can hear him telling his best friend on campus, “let’s go to the park and ride our bikes.” Each day I see this little boy evolve I am overwhelmed by the grace and love of God.
Today once again I saw him. I sat at the dinner table with the families, and I listened as he told his tale. “Mom I get to go to recess now”, he said with a jubilant cry. The statement was huge, because for this little boy recess was something that he often lost during class time because of outbursts, hiding from the teacher, or distracting class with grunts and growls. When the teacher would speak to this little one, he would burst into tears, and run quickly to a corner to hide.
At such a young age, the root issues that caused this little boy to lack the social skills, and tools that his peers held, made him feel shame. Yet, tonight to see his little face lit with a smile. To hear the joy as he shared about recess. He spoke of his friends, of the swings, and the seesaw. He spoke of recess, more so he spoke of his transformation. For this little one to earn his recess, means his social skills are improving. He has a healthy environment to grow and learn at Acres of Hope. The evidence at school, is recess.
So excuse me, as I smile with the warmth in my heart at this moment, knowing that a little boy’s life is changing. Today it is recess, tomorrow it will be so much more for this child and his family.
If you would like to get involved in the transforming work happening at Acres of Hope,
Visit: acresofhopeonline.org or Call:530-878-8030