| I'd
already worked a ten-hour day, working with women and children living
in transitional housing after being homeless. I was the only one who
advocated, taught, played with the children from four sites. The call
came - a violent and extremely unpredictable "abuser" was in an
apartment with three young children-one of who is imprinted on my heart
and very soul. I knew already at four years, he would either be the
greatest of leaders or the worst of criminals, depending on what roads
he chose. Racing thru the frigid night crying out to my "Beloved Mary,
please still D's mouth and body!! Please let everyone in that apartment
feel your loving mother’s arms.” Running into the apartment building, I
was brought up short by two policemen nervously standing outside the
apartment door. They said they didn't want to go in and were waiting
for backup. All I could see were the three children's faces and I knew
they needed me now. Heart racing, taking in anything in the room I could use as a weapon or blocking device to protect the kids, nerves on hyper-alert, love for the three kids overflowing - awareness that this could be my last moment on earth - I took a deep, calming breath and quietly knocked on the door - blocking the police from view from within. Walking in, taking in the scene: ten-year old Solana sitting frozen within a foot of the TV staring into its mesmerizing screen, four-year-old John W. on the couch staring into the TV but constantly, furtively looking at everyone in the room under his luscious long lashes, and baby Marco lying without any barrier on the other side of the sectional couch, quiet and stinking horribly even across the room. I looked up at the six-foot six big, buff D and said, "Hey D, we need to get this baby changed. J.W., go get me a clean diaper, please.” D just stood there - silent, tense, rocking on his feet, ready to jump at the slightest provocation - looking at only me now. After I took care of the baby and looked at the kids (and trying to give them an encouraging smile), I stood up straight and strong and looked at D - at first tense and ready to do anything to protect the kids. Then something happened. Looking up into D's face, I saw not a 35 year old "abuser", but a beautiful four-year-old boy, who I surely would have loved and tried to protect. I saw who he was, before fear, hatred and power corrupted him into the "animal" that others wished only to see dead thru violence. We just stood seeing each other. So this is Transcendent Power!! A peaceful calm came throughout the room. I vowed, then and there, that from that day forward, I would try to see the innocent child in everyone I met. I'm still trying, everyday!! |
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