I am quickly falling in love with the children at Beacon. They have
this wonderful innocence about them that allows them to open their hearts to
complete strangers; they would trust anyone who sat them down to read Winnie
the Pooh. After all that they have been through, after all the traumatic
experiences they have had and horrifying fear they have felt, they never give
up; they fight for attention and love, and they watch one another’s backs. To
understand what I see every day at the Beacon House, I've decided to introduce
you all to a handful of the children. For legal purposes I will not be able to
disclose any of their names or personal history, just know these kids are
troopers.
Chapter Two: The Beacon House Children
“Ray Wonder”
This little nugget is “Ray”. He was the first one I met and
the first one I will introduce. When I walked in the gate for the first time,
he wrapped his little arms around my legs and pointed at the swing; he really
loves swinging. He is a visually impaired child who just needs a little
affection. When I picked “Ray” up for the first time and swung him upside down,
he completely zoned out; he stared at the sun…which he does too often…and
completely relaxed. I take him around the courtyard sometimes and put his hands
on the leaves and flowers just so he can get a feeling for all the things he
can now see; he gets so excited. Nothing he does is wrong in my eyes, and if he’s
not adopted by the time I’m financially stable, rest assured, I will be back.
“Handsome”
This wonderful human being is “Handsome”. Every morning I
walk in and touch his hand and he pets mine back. He has a passion for music
and piano, like myself, and rocks back and forth to any sound he hears. When I
first played his keyboard with him, he stroked my hand in approval. I've never
heard him speak and I know I never will, but no matter; he wears his heart on
his sleeve and his voice in the pet of his hands. He keeps to himself, but I
don’t think there will ever be a day in his life that he feels anything but
happy.
“Mama Bear”
Although “Mama Bear” is obviously not this little angel’s
name, it is a perfect reflection of her. In class she guides everyone through
counting and the alphabet; when someone isn't paying attention she’ll simply shout
at them in her thick accent things I don’t understand; it works every time. I've bonded especially with “Mama Bear”
because of her genuine care for all. Although I am there to teach her, she has
really taught me so much about interacting with and getting through to the
other kids. She tells me things about the others to help me understand them,
and she is always looking out for me like she doesn't want to see anyone
disrespect me; it’s really beautiful to see such a young girl have such awareness
to others and their differences. She handles her own and has such a powerful
presence. I hope she remembers just how far she can go and how wonderful she is when she faces the real
world someday.
“Petey”
“Petey” and his older brother are two of the quickest learning
children I have ever met; they have a real enthusiasm for education and a charm
that would make up for lack of it anyhow. “Petey” is genuine and loving, and
from time to time he can be very sensitive. He loves being center of attention
and having piles of books read to him. Whenever I bring out a new book for him his little eyes light up and he starts dancing around; sounds like a real dream
child right? He listens eagerly and always goes back over the pictures at the
end of a story; the kids always have to wait around for him to be done scanning
the photos one more time before they start a new book. I know “Petey” and his
brother will make some family very proud one day. They have so much love to
offer.
“Romeo”
This little attention hog is “Romeo”. He has a real way with
the ladies but is just too excitable to give one person attention for too long.
One minute he’s begging to have a puzzle buddy and the next he is running off
with someone’s shoe. When he’s around a lot of people he tends to bounce off
the walls, but sometimes I catch him alone just standing in one place staring at the sky and observing the world; it’s
actually quite adorable. He has a real curiosity for life and the energy to
fulfill it.
The Beacon House children have taught me something very
important about love and life: our minds are fragile, and the
memories we choose to fill it with and act on should be full of love we can
offer to everyone every day. These kids
have accepted their pasts for what they are and love regardless, which is not easily
said about many people. They allow their memories to shape the people they are
today, but without bitterness and without shutting the world out. It makes me
think about all the people of this world and how we all react so differently to
pain and upsetting memories; some people tune out of life altogether. I think
it is so important for us to use the lessons from our memories to make us
smarter and more eager to learn like these children have decided to do, rather
than turn off and tune out. They keep fighting for love and affection, and they
trust openly. If a young child can do this every day after seeing more pain
than most will see in a lifetime, I think we are all very capable of doing just
the same. Love on people. Love on.
Nante Yie.
Emily Chamberlain
