Mikaelah is a lovely, kind, young professional who works on the Information Technology Team of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. I am delighted when we have a chance to talk. She is quick to fix my computer, which is good, but, like all humans, she is so much more than what she can do. She is a deep thinker and spends time pondering what’s truly important.
One day, Karen, in the office next to me, said, “I think Mikaelah has something to share with you when you have a minute. She said it's nothing urgent.”
I was crammed for meetings that day, so I didn't have a chance to connect with Mik until the next day. She came into my office with a large, flat children’s book… the kind my grandson calls “teacher books” because they are too large a format for little hands to handle.
“I wanted to share this with you,” Mik said. “This is a very special book for my mom and me, and I’d like to read it to you.”
This is one of those very special moments I treasure in my work. I have the blessing of truly being with people… staff, donors, allies, the kids.
The book was “Mama, Do You Love Me?” by Barbara M. Joose and, surprisingly, after three children and four grandchildren, I had never read it. For those who have read “I’ll Love You Forever,” it has a similar rhythm. However, it has delightful Native Alaskan illustrations and traditions in its content.
Of course, I teared up as Mik read. The small child in the book is trying to find the boundaries of her mother’s love, only to find it is unbounded.
When she was finished, Mik closed the book and said, “Did you like it?”
“Yes, very much.”
“The part with the polar bear reminds me of who we are at the Ranch," Mik said.
In the book, the child asks her mother, “What if I turned into a polar bear, and I was the meanest bear you ever saw, and I had sharp, shiny teeth, and I chased you into your tent and you cried?” The mother responds, “Then I would be very surprised and very scared. But still, inside the bear, you would be you, and I would love you.”
"These kids are hurting so bad, and sometimes they act like polar bears. But we see past that to who they really are. I just wanted to share that," she said.
I am truly humbled by the way God has brought so many wonderful people to do their part for the healing of the children at the Ranch.
If you are interested in the book, I found it on YouTube! https://youtu.be/TyQlBW7JVF4 Enjoy.
Please keep the children and staff of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in your prayers.
In His love,
Joy Ryan, President/CEO
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch
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