It is easy to take the every day norms of life for granted, especially when it has become second nature to you. I had the fortune of being a daycare provider for three little people who were in foster care with their Grandma. She (the Grandma) was desperately trying to provide for her grandchildren and continue her education. The juggling act that woman had on her hands was commendable. Social services contacted me and asked if I had space for these children in my day home. Explaining their circumstances, my heart could not say no.
As we got to know each other, the children grew to respect my position in their lives. The Grandmother trusted me to do right by her, and her grand children. She slowly trusted me with their story. The hurt all of these people had endured took my breath away, and made my determination to show them compassion that much more important. These children had come from a severely drug addicted Mother, and had been physically abused. They had been surviving off of very little, to no comforts we all take for granted. Grandmother, a very proud woman, had walked away from a very abusive spouse. She gained her strength to leave through attempting to make life better for her grandchildren. My mission had been set in stone, these children needed to know happiness.
My day home children had been raised to be inclusive. Welcoming these children into their daycare family was easy for them. Adapting them to our schedule was quite easy as well. They showed so much appreciation for everything. However, one particular day stands out.
Grandma had dropped off the children a little earlier, needing extra time to study for her exam that day. The children sat at the breakfast table with mine, and we all ate together. My husband gave me and the children a quick hug before heading off, including them. A simple act, but a needed one, especially for these children. The smile on their faces was unmatched by their gratitude for the simple act of the quick hug. Feeling included in my own personal family, you could see how much they craved these simple gestures. Continuing on with the day, I ushered them all into the bathroom to brush teeth, and wash up before the rest of the daycare kids showed up. The children loved the simple wholesome act, and brushed their teeth with delight.
As soon as the rest of the day home children began to show up, the bragging began. “We got to brush our teeth here”, the youngest smiled to his peers, “And we all ate breakfast together!”. The other children shrugged it off, not realizing how important these simple acts were. When their Grandma arrived to pick up the children at the end of the day, they gushed again about the “family” time they spent with me. Grandma smiled her shy weary smile, thanking me for helping her build their “bridge over troubled water”, my heart burst with pride for being seen as part of their healing.