Seeing is Believing

Jun 8, 2008

I love the Cinderella Story...

The Cinderella Story is a common theme often found in movies and books.  The underdog, or someone who is suppressed or forgotten, rises up to learn they are someone special - in the classic fairy tale, Cinderella becomes a princess.

This story played out in the first Harry Potter installment as well.  On his eleventh birthday, Hagrid visited Harry and tells him he is a wizard.  Harry replied that he is nothing special, he is "just Harry."  Hagrid persists telling him that he is special; he is a wizard.  I love this idea of telling people that they are really something special - they are wizards and princesses.

The Resource Development Committee took a "Seeing in Believing" tour Friday morning of Catholic Community Services, Salvation Army, and the Christmas Box House.

Each brief visit was informative as we learned about needs, gaps and amazing service delivery in our community.  But the visit to the Christmas Box House really stood out.

As we walked through the play area and saw children ages 2 to 12, we learned where they were before they came to the Christmas Box House, what they were doing now, and where they would go.  We heard stories of children being ignored because of drinking, how careless parents cared more about drugs than their children, how one 5 yr old was locked up in coffin-like box, how another was chained to a water heater, how some were raised to believe they simply did not exist to the outside world.  It was heart wrenching and I choked back the tears as I looked past the tour into the eyes of the young people in the playroom.

Our guide continued to share information about the wonderful treatment the children receive in the care of the Christmas Box House.  She talked about teaching 4 year olds their first words after neglectful parents never spoke to them for years.  She talked about the un-birthday parties they hold each month so children that have never had a present to open on a birthday finally would get one.  She continued on about ice cream socials, volunteers offering hugs, and new adoptive parents overflowing with love.

I loved knowing that transformations take place and not only are children better cared for in this nonprofit, but it was reassuring to know that the children became Cinderella's and Harry Potter's.  At the Christmas Box House they became special, they became wizards and princesses!  It was then that I watched the children gather around the video and television in the playroom.  It was no surprise the movie opened with the main title "The Cinderella Story."   Indeed, a bulls-eye moment.