She flops

Joy Ryan, President/CEO

Essie has only been with us for a few weeks. She is a lithe, young teenager who wears very comfy clothes…usually in wild patterns and shades of pink. Essie has struggled her whole life against caregivers and schools and peers who ridiculed, mistreated, and misunderstood her. Sometimes she fought back.

When I am in my office, she finds her way to my door to visit at least once a day. With my encouragement and that of the staff with her, she has learned to ask before entering, then flops into one of my visitor chairs. It really looks like her whole body is bendable… even where there aren’t joints.

She has a gruff, raspy voice for such a delicate person. Her words come out with a type of punctuation between them. I really like her visits.

In one of our first exchanges, she said, “I bullied a boy in my class today. I feel bad. He has autism and it was bugging me. I have autism, too. We should make pillows for children with cancer. They could hug them.”

“I think that would be a very kind thing to do,” I said. “Do you sew?”

“No. You’d have to teach me.”

“OK. I’ll write it down and talk to Principal Leinen about your idea. Did you tell the boy you felt bad about bullying him?”

“Yes. Then I suggested we go see the therapy dog and Mr. Brandt brought us. The kid told me I’m funny.”

Working at Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch means meeting every child where they are at. Sometimes that means having to catch up with them!

Next visit. Flop.

Essie, “Did you think about the pillows?”

Me, “Yes, I wrote it down, but I still need to talk to Principal Leinen.” I showed her my list with “Cancer Pillows” on it.

Essie, “How old are you?”

Me, “How old do you think I am?”

Essie, “Twenty or so.” (For reference, my oldest child is 41.)

Me, “That is very kind. I am actually __ years old.” (You didn’t really think I was going to tell you, did you?)

Essie, “That’s ok. I love it here. In my old school, they didn’t like what I am. Why do you have puffin stuff in your office?”

My heart bumped a little. She said so much in that little sentence. I like what Essie is. The other people around her like what she is too. She has challenges, but we are honored to know her.

Your prayers and support bring children like Essie the chance to feel heard and respected, a precursor to healing. Thank you.

Have a really good week. Spend it with people who like what you are.